BAYARD  TAYLOR 


THE   PROPHET 


A  TRAGEDY. 


BY 

BAYARD    TAYLOR, 

AUTHOR  OF  "LABS,"   "THE  MASQUE  OF  THE  GODS,"  ETC.,  ETC. 


BOSTON: 
JAMES    R.    OSGOOD    AND    COMPANY, 

(LATE  TICKNOK  &  FIELDS,  ANT)  FIELDS,  OSGOOD,  &  CO.) 
1874. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1874,  by 

BAYARD  TAYLOR, 
In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


STEREOTYPED  AND  PRINTED  BY 
RAND,  AVERY,  AND  COMPANY,  BOSTON. 


ft 


f 


THE  PROPHET. 


DRAMATIS  PERSONS. 


DAVID  STARR The  Prophet 

ELKANAH His  Father 

HANNAH His  Mother 

KHODA Afterwards  his  Wife 

NIMROD  KRAFT Afterwards  High  Priest 

LIVIA  KOMNEY A  Woman  of  the  World 

SIMEON 


Members  of  the  Council  of  Twelve 


MORDECAI 

HUGH 

JONAS 

SARAH Wife  of  Jonas 

PETER An  Orphan,  the  Prophet's  Serving-Man 

COLONEL  HYDE Sheriff 

HIRAM A  Member  of  the  Church 

A  Preacher.    People  of  David's  neighborhood.    Members  of  the 
church.     Women.     Colonel  Hyde' s  followers. 

Time,  18—. 

The  scene  of  Act  I.  is  a  New-England  State;  of  the  four 
following  Acts,  a  Western  State. 

Between  Acts  I.  and  II.  there  is  an  interval  of  two  years; 
between  Acts  II.  and  III.,  an  interval  of  one  year. 


THE     PROPHET. 


ACT   I. 

SCENE   I. 

The  porch,  front-yard,  and  garden  of  a  farm-house.     Late 
afternoon. 

ELKANAH 

'Tis  a  good  ending  of  the  harvest.      Now 

We  may  be  sure  that  every  sheaf  is  stacked 

Ere  rain  can  spoil  it.     "One  load  more,  I  think," 

Said  David.     But  the  farther  side  is  low, 

A  deeper  soil,  bears  well :    he  may  be  wrong, 

If  on  the  right  side  of  the  estimate. 

I  always  counted  less  than   likely  seemed ; 

Tried  to  surprise  myself,  as  it  might  be, 


10  THE  PllOPHET: 

And  so  increase  my  luck.      He's  over  young 
For  under-guessing ;    takes  the  most  at  once, 
And  discounts  profit  long-  before  it  comes. 
The  lad  is  not  like  me,  or  times  are  changed. 
I  was  my  father  over,  he  declared, 
And  liked  to  say  so ;    but  good  stock  improves ; 
Hey,  Hannah? 

HANNAH 

Nay,  I  heard  you :    I  must  think, 
Whether  I  will  or  no,  about  the  boy, 
As  in  the  anxious  time  when  he  wTas  born. 
Late  fruit  is  best,  they  say,  —  the  only  kind 
Keeps  over  winter ;    but  it  may  get  ripe, 
Like  pippins,  when  the  orchard's  bare  of  leaves. 
Your  disappointment  and  your  discontent 
You  do  forget ;    but  I  remember  all, 
Bearing  the  blame :    and  when  he  came,  at  last, 
I  said  within  my  heart,  Because  of  that 


A  TRAGEDY.  11 

The  Lord  means  something.      Now  I  plague  myself, 
Thinking  I  see,  and  straightway  seeing  not, 
The  sign  thereof  revealed  in  David's  life. 

ELKANAH 

You  could  not  help  such  fancies,  I  suppose, 

While  he  was  on  the  way. 

i 

HANNAH 

I  know  your  thought : 

You've  the  same  right  to  seek  yourself  in  him, 
But  will  .not  find  it :    he  is  most  of  me. 
Why,  forty  years  have  you  and  I  been  wed ; 
And  four  and  twenty  has  he  been  with  us. 
I  cannot  say  beforehand,  thus  and  so 
Will  speak  my  husband,  or  decide,  or  act; 
But  I  must  wait :   yet,  if  a  woman  were 
By  some  strange  miracle  become  a  man, 
Then  I  should  be  our  David's  very  self 
In  feeling  and  in  purpose.     Something  moves 


12  THE  PBOPHETs 

His  mind  beyond  our  daily  round  of  work: 
I  know  not  what  it  is,  and  dare  not  ask, 
Lest  prying  words,  before  the  proper  time, 
Breed  mischief. 

ELKANAH 

Wife,  the  boy  is  all  a  man : 
He'll  soon  spy  out  what's  wanting. 

HANNAH 

Ah,    not  that! 
PETER 

(Singing  at  a  distance.) 

Sing,  blow  the  wind  o'  mornings  ! 
Sing,  blow  the  wind,  'igh  O  !' 
Sing,  brush  away  the  morning  dew, 
Sing,  blow,  blow,  blow! 

ELKANAH 

The  last  load:    otherwise,  would  Peter  sing 
Not  quite  so  loudly.     They  have  built  it  broad, 
Mayhap,  and  high,  to  save  another.     Well, 


A  TRAGEDY.  13 

Whether  it  show  good  luck  or  management 
Makes  odds  in  the  end.     There   be   two  ways    of 

work ; 

And  one  is  doing  it  because  you  must, 
And  one  because  you  like.     Look  when  it's  done, 
You'll  see  small  difference,  as  the  case  is   now; 
And  I  misdoubt  me  sorely  which  it  is. 

DAVID 
(Singing,  distant  at  first,  but  gradually  drawing  nearer.) 

If  one  to  yonder  mountain  saith, 

Be  cast  into  the  sea ! 
And  doubteth  not,  so  filled  with  faith, 

The  mount  removed  shall  be. 
Though  love  is  first,  yet  faith  is  chief : 
Lord,  I  believe ;  help  Thou  mine  unbelief ! 

Behold,  He  granteth  prophecy, 

And  gift  of  tongues,  to  all: 
His  fullest  bounty  waits  for  me, 

Though  I  delay  to  call. 
The  measure  of  our  days  is  brief : 
Lord,  I  believe ;  help  Thou  mine  unbelief ! 


14  THE  PROPHET: 

[RnoDA,  approaching  the  house  from  the  opposite  side, 
pauses  at  the  gate,  and  listens.  She  begins  to  sing,  at 
first  in  a  low  voice,  then  louder  to  the  close ;  when 
DAVID  appears.'] 

DAVID 

I  thought  of  you,  and  straightway  find  you   here. 
Was  that  your  prayer,  as  well?      I'll  not  believe 
You  utter  words,  as  one  lets  pebbles  drop, 
To  splash  in  water:   you've  a  healthful  soul, 
I  think,  to  make  another's  faith  more  firm 
By  just  believing,  Ehoda? 

KHODA 

What  I  am 
Can  I  declare? 

DAVID 

Then  I  will  set  you  forth. 
I'll  say  that  love  in  you  is  one  with  faith: 


A  TRAGEDY.  15 

The  trust  you  give  means  an  eternal  term, 
And  following  through  good  and  ill  report, 
And  with  strong  heart  sustaining  where  the  mind 
Would  stop   and   question.      These  were  woman's 

gifts 

When  she  beheld  the  Master,  and  obeyed ; 
And  they  are  yours :   if  I  supposed  you  false, 
I  should  be  most  unhappy. 

RIIODA 

No,  not  false ! 
Believe  me,  David,  any  thing  but  that ! 

[  They  pass  into  the  garden. 

HANNAH 

They  both  forget  us !     Even  his  face  is  strange, 
Most  strange  and  beautiful  with  serious  thought ; 
While  hers  is  troubled,  yet  has  nought  of  pain. 
I  do  not  understand  it.      She's  a  child, 


16  THE   PROPHET: 

Is  Rhoda  still ;  and  wise  she  never  seemed. 

Can  one  give  counsel,  comprehending  not 

The  doubtful  matter?     Surely  unto  her 

He     cannot     show    what     he     keeps    back    from 

me ! 

Men  seek  clear  notions,  whether  fair  or  foul, 
When  they  have  pondered  any  thing  so  long 
As  he  with  this.     They  take  the  orchard-path. 
The  fruit  will  hardly  be  their  chief  concern, 
Yet  gives  fair  ground  that  I  ma}^  follow  them. 

[Exit. 

ELKANAH 

(Laughing  to  himself.} 

Ha,  ha !  I  see  no  mystery  in  the  thing. 

A  practised  tongue  has  Hannah,  takes  her  way 

And  justifies  it,  past  my  argument ; 

Yet  now  and  then,  like  one  in  too  much  haste, 

Her  notions  trip,  and  throw  her  flat  on  mine. 


A  TRAGEDY.  17 

Because  the  lad  was  moony,  she,  forsooth, 

Must  think  him  like  a  Samuel,  set  apart 

For  this  or  t'other ;  but  it's  nothing  new. 

He  goes  the  way  of  flesh  and  blood,  that  first 

Knows  hardly  what  the  natural  ailment  is, 

Till  each  finds  out,  and  then  the  other  heals. 

Yes,    yes,    these    women !      Best    to    give    them 

line, 

And  let  them  pry  a  while  among  the  clouds 
For  what  their  very  noses  touch.  She  kept 
Him  close,  and  preached  upon  and  coddled 

him, 

As  if  a  root  of  wilder  oats  is  killed 
When   you  keep   down    the    top.      The    girl,    'tis 

true, 

Might  have  a  bigger  dowry :  let  that  pass ! 
High  time  it  is  to  settle  him  afresh ; 
And  Hannah  has  no  call  to  interfere. 

[Exit. 


18  THE   PROPHET  : 

[HANNAH,  DAVID,  and  RHODA  return."] 

DAVID 

Neither  to  you  nor  Rhoda,  mother.     Both 
Must  wait  what  cometh ;  for,  if  I  could  say, 
Then  I  should  know. 

HANNAH 

And  each  of  you  is  sure 
You  love  the  other?    I  have  seen  no  signs. 
Even  neighbors'  children  do  not  change  so  much, 
But  there  is  seeking,  doubt,  and  bashfulness, 
Which  will  betray  them. 

DAVID 

None  of  these  are  ours  : 
I  did  not  seek  what  was  already  found ; 
And  truth  in  me  prohibits  doubt  of  her. 
If  what  concerneth  life  was  once  ordained 


A  TKAGEDY.  19 

For  others,  there  must  be  direction  still. 
The  nearest  heart  is  ever  easiest  read : 
So,  reading  Rhoda's  by  the  light  of  mine 
And  that  above,  as  one  may  hold  pure  glass 
Before  the  least  of  stars,  nor  make  it  dim, 
I  saw  that  each  was  chosen.     Rhoda,  speak, 
And  tell  me  once  again  your  heart  is  mine ! 

RHODA 
You  know  it,  even  if  I  answered  Nay. 


SCENE  II.  —  A  CAMP-MEETING. 

A  grove  of  large,  scattered  oak-trees.  Against  two,  which 
stand  near  together,  a  platform  is  built,  supporting  a  pulpit 
of  rough  timber.  In  front  of  the  platform  are  benches 
of  planks,  upon  which  several  hundred  persons  are  seated, 
DAVID,  RHODA,  and  PETER  among  them.  Tents  are 
pitched  under  the  borders  of  the  grove.  Many  persons 
kneeling  at  the  front  benches,  weeping  and  shouting. 


20  THE  PKOPHET: 


HYMN. 


There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood, 
Drawn  from  Imruanuel's  veins; 

And  sinners,  plunged  beneath  that  flood, 
Lose  all  their  guilty  stains. 


THE     PREACHER 

(Resuming    his    exhortation,   ichich   was  interrupted   ly  the 
hymn.') 

Oh,  there  are  more  among  3-6  shall  be  plucked 

As  brands  from  out  the  burning !      By  the  hair 

I'll  seize  you,  —  even  by  the  single  hair 

That  holds  you  from  the  pit !      My  hands  are  singed 

With  loosening  the  Devil's  grip  on  souls  ; 

And  3'ou,  who  should  strike  out  with  fists  and  feet, 

Leave  me  the  fight,  the  cowards  that  you  are ! 

You  think  the  Lord  can't  see  you :  even  so 

The  ostrich  sticketh  in  the  sand  her  head 

To  save  her  gay  tail-feathers:  pull  them  out, 


A  TEAGEDY.  21 

And    cast    them    from    you !      Though    you    hide 

yourselves 

Under  the  mountains,  it  will  not  be  long ; 
He'll  send  jou  wriggling  forth,  as  mean  as  mice : 
And,  though  you  dive  down  in  the  deepest  sea, 
He'll  haul  you  to  the  surface  like  a  whale, 
Harpooned,  and  spouting  blood. 

[Cries  and  groans  among  the  people."] 

Yes,  gnash  and  roar 
Like  lions  on  the  hills  of  Havilum  ; 
But,  all  the  same,  He'll  ask  full  price  of  you. 
Come  up,  ye  publicans  and  sinners !      Kneel, 
Pray    hard,    mourn    with    the    mourners,    and  be 

saved ! 

Strike  off  the  crusted  brimstone  from  your  feet, 
And  swap  the  Devil's  fire  for  water  of  life ! 
Oh!  don't  I  know  you?   This  one's  pride  of  mind, 
And  that  one's  wretched  fear  of  what  folks  say, 


22  THE  PROPHET: 

And  t'other's  cold  "morality,"  as  if 
An  ice-house  better  than  an  oven  baked,  — 
Oh!  don't  I  know?     I  had  them  all  myself: 
I  was  a  scurvy  sheep,  distempered,  bad 
With  foot  and  mouth  disease :  He  picked  me  up, 
And,  as  it  were,  greased  me  with  oil  of  grace, 
And  washed  my  spotted  fleece  until  it  shone. 
You  think  you're  clean  already  ;  but  He  sees 
Eed  under  broadcloth,  silk,  and  calico,  — 
Only  your  livers  white ! 

[Several  more  come  forward  to  the  front  benches,  and 
kneel  down  with  loud  cries.~] 

Two,  three,  four,  five ! 

Each  one  as  nine  and  ninety  righteous  men : 
Why,  these  alone  outweigh  the  rest  of  you ! 
You  give  a  serpent  when  he  asks  for  fish; 
And  He  upsets,  as  men  their  wagons  tilt, 
His  four-horse  loads  of  mercies  and  of  gifts, 


A  TRAGEDY.  23 

And  buries  with  them  all  that  say,  "I  need." 

[His  eyes  meet  those   of  DAVID,  who   leans  forward 
in  Ms  seat  with  a  fixed,  abstracted  gaze.'] 

I  see  another  sinner!     He's  afraid: 

It  may  be  that  he  magnifies  his  sin. 

But,  don't  you  know,  the  bigger  load  you  bear, 

The  greater  comfort  when  you  cast  it  off  ? 

Oh !  you'll  be  pardoned  fully,  not  a  doubt : 

He  likes  to  pardon.     Trembling  brother,  come! 

You  will  not?     Say,  then,  do  you  love  the  Lord? 

DAVID 

(Rising,  as  if  with  a  struggle,  and  speaking  slowly.) 
Whether  I  love  Him,  and  how  well,  He  knows. 

PETER 

(Aside  to  his  neighbor.) 
Not  quite  the  answer  he  expected. 


24  THE  PROPHET: 

THE   PREACHER 

Yes, 

He  knoweth.     Do  you  seek  a  hole  in  the  net, 
Caught  by  the  gills  already?    Yes,  He  knows: 
These  mourners  cry  to  Him  because  of  that. 

DAVID 


Let  Him  be  Judge  of  me ! 


THE  PREACHER 

He  is  your  Judge 

Without  your  letting.     These  are  Devil's  tricks,  — 
This  playing  pitch-and-toss  with  holy  words, 
To  gain  a  little  time.     Come  up,  choose  sides ! 
The    Lord    means    business.      Where     a    gnat's 

enough 

For  others,  must  you  have  an  elephant, 
And  all  His  promises  rammed  down  your  throat, 
Before  you  know  their  taste? 


A  TRAGEDY.  25 

DAVID 

(Eagerly.} 

His  promises?  — 

The  power  of  miracle  and  prophecy, 
And  gift  of  tongues  ?     He  promised  them  to  all ; 
And     Paul     confirmed     it.      Tell    me,    then,   the 

signs ! 

The  heart  within  me  aches  from  stress  of  faith : 
I  have  no  need  to  pray,  except  for  power, 
Which  is  the  seal  and  covenant  for  them 
"Whom  He  has  chosen. 

[Movements  and  exclamations  among  the  people, 

THE   PREACHER 

So  take  hold  on  hell 

The  proud  of  spirit.     What !  the  gift  of  tongues, 
The  power  of  miracle  and  prophecy, 
You  ask,  without  repentance,  prayer,  and  grace? 


26  THE  PEOPHET  : 

DAVID 

For  what  should  I  repent?     Why  pray  as  these 
Who  cry  from  secret  consciousness  of  sin? 
I  never  let  a  fault  against  me  stand 
For  day  of  settlement,  then  balanced  all 
By  pleading  bankrupt,  only  to  begin 
A  fresh  account.     Acceptance,  yea,  and  faith, 
Are  mine  already,  tenfold  more  than  yours, 
Who  neither  ask,  nor  know  what  ye  should  ask. 

THE    PREACHER 

We  choose  His  simple  way.     You  would  mislead 
Be  silent ! 

CRIES    AMONG    THE    PEOPLE 

Out !     A  very  infidel !  — 
No  sinner?      Never  prays?     Why,  Antichrist 
Could  say  no  more  !      To  face  the  preacher  so  ! 
Away  with  him! 


A  TKAGEDY.  27 

PETER 

(Turning  suddenly,  witTi  clinched  fats.) 

The  preacher  drew  him  on, 
And  got  no  worse  than  he  deserved.     I   say, 
Touch  him,  it  won't  be  "  Glory  !  "  that  you'll  shout, 
After  a  sore  repentance. 

DAVID 

If  I  shake 

This  dust  from  off  my  feet,  I  do  no  more 
Than  was  commanded.      Have  you  privilege 
To  darken  counsel  with  your  cloud  of  words? 
To  teach  the  lesser  part,  reject  the  whole, 
And  mutilate  His  glory  unto  men? 
Woe  to  the  Pharisees  and  hypocrites, 
Even  here  as  there,  even  in  these  latter  days, 
As  when  upon  the  paths  of  Galilee 
His  feet  were  beautiful!     My  words  are  said. 

[He  leaves  the  place  amid  a  great  outcry  and  confusion. 


28  THE  PKOPHET: 

SCENE    III. 

A  lonely  lane,  evening. 

DAVID 

(Solus.) 

Cast  out?     By  them  that  think  they  do  believe, 
Cursed  for  believing?    God!  what,  then,  is  truth? 
Why,  here  Thy  minted  gold  is  worn  with  use, 
Sweated  in  handling,  till  the  head  thereon 
Is  quite  rubbed  out,  the  superscription  dim. 
I  did  but  offer  it  as  freshly  coined, 
With  all  its  glorious  promise  legible, 
And  they  cry,  «  Counterfeit !  "     Ten  talents  given, 
Nine  have  they  buried,  and  a  single  one 
Divide  among  the  people,  who  are  blind, 
And  blindly  led:    shall  I  not  therefore  see? 

[He  pauses,  and  looks  upwards."] 
How  reach  the  faith  so  perfect  and  assured 
That  every  gift  must  follow?    I  have  tried, 


A  TRAGEDY.  29 

Sought  evidence  in  lightest,  easiest  ways : 
Nothing  obeyed.      So  I  have  not  the  faith, 
Or —     O  my  God!   there  is  no  faith,  no  power, 
Nor  miracle ;   and  never  can  have  been. 
But  this  is  madness !      This  makes  truth  a  lie, 
Makes  life  an  emptiness  far  worse  than  death, 
Peoples  the  world  with  devils,  drives  men  mad, 
And  substitutes  — 

[Another  pause.] 

'  I  had  not  thought  of  that. 

Times   changed,   conditions  changed :     hence   spe 
cial  need 

Of  worthiness  through  trial,  harder  now 
Than  when  all  understood  what  meant  belief, 
And  perfect  faith  was  natural  to  them. 
How  can  I  measure  mine  by  other  men's? 
I  saw  not  right:  I  claimed  the  highest  power, 
Unpurchased.     What  apostle  shall  declare, 


30  THE  PROPHET: 

As  then,  the  fealty  of  a  human  soul? 
Not  he;    not  he!     And  are  not  all  alike, 
Giving  their  husks  of  doctrine  for  His  bread? 
The  ground  we  stand  on  is  too  far  apart : 
Whom  seek  ?    Why,  none  !     A  hand  is  on  my  head, 
A  finger  points  the  way. 

PETER 
(Coming  up.) 

I  meant  to  leave 

When  you  did ;    but,  because  I  cannot  swear 
As  properly  as  they,  and  just  let  fly 
Hard  lumps  of  words  like  stones  to  hit   and  hurt, 
They  cursed  me  roundly,  —  in  a  holy  way ; 
And  one,  with  hand  upon  my  collar,  cried, 
"Down,  sinner,  and  repent!"     I  answered  him 
Between  the  eyes  ;    then  dashed  the  rest  apart, 
And  so  got  headway.      Let  us  hurry  on : 
They're  after  us. 


A  TRAGEDY.  31 

DAVID 

And  if  they  were?     My  right 
Is  greater.     Did  you  understand  my  words? 

PETER 

As  much  as  his.     He  did  not  answer  you : 
That  I  could  understand. 

DAVID 

If  unto  you 

So  much  was  manifest,  and  to  the  rest, 
They  only  want  authority  and  sign, 
Which  I  must  purchase.     Peter,  I  believe 
All  men  are  brethren  when  they  see  the  truth. 

PETER 

You  never  called  me  "brother;"   yet  you  did 
Even  as  a  brother. 


32  THE  PROPHET  : 

DAVID 

Did  I  so,  indeed? 
I  thought  not  of  it. 

\Tliey  walk  forwards.'] 

PETER 

Why  should  you  not  preach? 
There  always  must  be  preachers  in  the  world. 
We're  used  to  them ;  and  people  say  that  things 
Would  go  to  wrack  without  them ;  but  I  wish 
They'd  yell  and  bang  and  thunder  less.     Somehow 
The  text. is  friendly,  smooth,  and  innocent 
As  seems  a  flint ;    yet  soon  they  knock  from  it 
Thick  sparks  of  hell-fire ;   and  the  sulphur-stink 
Goes  to  men's  heads,  and  sets  them  raving  wild. 
You'd  preach  some  comfort,  now. 

DAVID 

Would  you  believe? 


A  TRAGEDY.  33 

PETER 

Why  not?     Something  we  must  believe,  they  say. 
What  I  can't  understand  I  take  on  trust. 
It's  getting  late :  the  hogs  and  cattle  know 
There's  earlier  feeding-time  when  Sunday  comes. 

\_IIe  hastens  on. 

DAVID 

The  world  is  peaceful.     There  should  be  no  sin : 
There  need  not  be,  or  misery,  any  more. 
Yon  blue  is  loftier  than  the  changing  wind, 
And  spreads  serenely  back  of  cloud  and  storm 
To  show  us  what  we  might  be.     Wherefore  strive? 
Faith  puts  contention  quietly  aside, 
Smiles,  and  is  master. 

\_PJwda  overtakes  liirn.'] 

I  have  need  of  you, 
My  Rhoda.     Sooner  than  the  signs  announced, 

3 


34  THE   PROPHET: 

The  time  draws  nigh.     Here,  walk  beside  me  now 
At  the  beginning,  as  it  were  the  end. 

RHODA 

I  was  not  frightened.  All  you  said  was  true. 
I  thought  you  answered  as  one  having  power ; 
And  so  did  many  others. 

DAVID 

Rhoda,  look ! 

How  yonder  little  cloud  is  all  afire, 
As  if  a  rose  unshrivelled  so  could  burn, 
That  was  so  gray  and  dull !      Even  such  am  I. 
I  cannot  help  the  color,  nor  escape 
The  light  that  shines  upon  me.     You  will  be 
Yon  other  cloud,  that  mingles  with  the  first 
While  now  we  gaze ;    and  let  the  multitude 
Spread  as  the  clammy  meadow-mists  below, 
That  never  saw  the  sunset. 


A  TRAGEDY.  35 

RHODA 

And  I  feared 

That  you  might  be  disquieted  in  soul. 
Your    peace    and    strength    leave   all  the  trouble 

mine. 

I  can  but  take  whatever  light  is  yours, 
That  is  not  wasted  from  a  nobler  use. 
I  will  not  speak  of  mine  unworthiness ; 
For  that  were  thankless  censure  of  your  heart, 
Which  finds  me  worthy. 

DAVID 

Proven  so  again! 

You  are  a  glass  wherein  I  see  myself 
Reflected  as  I  change,  —  now  clear,  now  dim, 
And    soon    (or    else,    I    think,   the    earth    shall 

cease) 

Clothed     on     with     brightness,    as    a    lamp    with 
flame. 


36  THE  PEOPHET: 

RHODA 

I  pray  that  I  may  read  what  you  intend. 
It  must  be  so:  how,  otherwise,  give  help? 

DAVID 
Will  help  be  needed? 

RHODA 

Will  not  trouble  come? 
I  have  the  feeling  that  foretells  a  storm 
When  not  a  cloud  has  gathered,  —  sultry,  strange. 
And  full  of  restlessness  which  is  not  fear. 
This  is  of  me  alone :   untouched  are  you 
By  that  which  you  regard  not. 

DAVID 

Let  me  be ! 

Stand  off,  keep  silence,  wait  and  hope !     One  step 
Gives  me  the  pathway ;  but  my  lifted  foot 
Feels  in  the  dark,  conjectures  an  abyss 


A  TRAGEDY.  37 

Where  one  bold  thrust  might  touch  the  solid  base. 
My  peace  and  strength,  you  said?    There's  seem 

ing  peace 
When   hope,  desire,  and   prayer   have   done   their 

most, 

And  wait  in  agony  the  answer.     Come ! 
I  hardly  feel  the  earth  that  bears  me  up. 
The  sky  is  blazing  ;  all  the  air  is  gold ; 
And  every  hill- top  is  a  step  to  heaven. 

[They  pass  on. 

SCENE   IV. 

The  sitting-room  of  the  farm-house,  dusk.     HANNAH  seated 
in  an  old  arm-chair  at  the  window. 

HANNAH 

If  half  of  Peter's  story  be  the  truth, 

The  thing  will  make  disturbance.     Not  of  that, 

As  him  affecting,  should  I  be  afraid, 

Were  not  the  place,  and  manner  of  his  words, 


33  THE   PROPHET  : 

Weapons  against  him.     Brooding  men  are  rash 
When  forced  or  cozened  to  declare  themselves ; 
And  he  has  made,  if  more  his  thought  includes, 
Unwise  beginning.      Whither  will  it  lead? 
He  angers  me,  who,  in  my  younger  days, 
Was  often  hotly  angered  with  myself 
Without  such  bitter  cause ;    and,  having  led 
In  love  so  long,  I  now  must  lead  by  blame. 
It  is  a  pestilent  business,  and  for  nought ! 
I  did  not  sa}T  a  word  against  his  choice, 
Though  higher  —  he  a  man  so  proper,  she 
As  hundreds  are  —  he  had  the  right  to  look. 
And  now  this  useless,  nighty  piece  of  work ! 

ELKANAH 

(Entering.) 

Oh,  yes !    you've  heard.     Although  I  hardly  see 
Your  face,  I  know  you  know  it.     Well,  this  once 
I  think  we  shall  agree. 


A  TRAGEDY.  39 

HANNAH 

First  speak  your  mind. 

ELKANAH 

My  mind  is  yours.     I  always  thought  }TOU  wise 
As  wromen  may  be :   therefore  there's  no  cause 
To  make  this  that,  when  all  is  clear  as  day. 
My  name  and  standing  in  the  neighborhood, 
And  yours,  are  likely  to  be  touched  ;   for  none 
Will  side  with  him. 

HANNAH 

How?    None?    Suppose  him  right, 
Not  rash  or  nighty,  as  the  thing  may  seem, 
But  wise  and  well-considered,  shall  he  bear 
Unjust  abuse,  and  we  take  no  concern? 
Then  were   our   name   and   standing    touched    in 
deed ! 


40  THE  PROPHET  : 

ELKANAH 

(Lifting  up  his  hands.) 

Why,  wedded  forty  years  (the  words  are  yours), 

I  cannot  say  beforehand,  thus  and  so 

Will     speak     rny     wife,    when     wisdom,     reason 

sense, 

Have  but  one  language.     Did  I  call  you  wise? 
I  knew  not  what  I  said.      The  moon-struck  boy 
First  cracks  the  egg-shell  of  his  addled  brain ; 
And  yours,  to  please  him,  then  begins  to  split. 

HANNAH 

Elkanah.  hush !      But,  nay !    speak  as  you  list, 
And  let  your  anger  breathe  itself  on  me. 
Though  I  be  sore  confounded,  I  withhold 
Untimely  chiding,  which  confirms  the  fault 
Not  felt  as  such  by  him ;    and,  if  the  thing 
Be  verily  justified,  avoid  a  sin. 
Be  gentle  with  your  first  and  only  born. 


A  TRAGEDY.  41 

DAVID 

(Entering  hastily.) 
Father !     Mother ! 

HANNAH 

Behold  us  here,  my  son  ! 

DAVID 

I  will  not  call  you  any  other  names, 
Though  all  be  granted. 

ELKANAH 

As  a  favor,  then? 

Say  more,  or  less,  and  let  jour  riddles  drop. 
My  wits  are  dumb. 

DAVID 

This  must  be  the  command. 
[Exit. 

ELKANAH 

If  ever  !      Did  you  mark  his  lordly  air  ? 
Let  us  be  thankful,  that,  because  he  made 


42  THE   PROPHET: 

A  strange  disturbance  in  a  godly  place, 
He  still  acknowledges  he  is  our  son. 

HANNAH 

(Rising.) 

Oh,  spare  me  any  more !       'Twas  not  in  pride 
He  spake.      He  scarcely  thought  of  us :    his  soul 
Is  moved  by  madness,  or  a  mighty  truth, 
Or  both  in  battle.     All  my  blood  grew  cold : 
My  limbs  are  trembling  still. 

[She  lights  a  lamp.'} 

I  fear  the  dusk. 

There  was  a  bat  before  the  window  brushed, 
A  hoot-owl  cried.      Well,  call  me  any  thing- 
Mistaken,  silly,  weak  — when  this  is  past; 
But  now  be  kind. 

[DAVID  comes  back.     He  pauses  in  the  centre  of  the  room, 
with  a  strange,  rapt  expression  of  face.~\ 


A  TRAGEDY.  43 

Will  you  not  speak  to  us, 
My  son?     Declare  so  much  as  may  be  told. 
We  listen. 

DAVID 

(As  if  speaking  to  himself.) 
Quarantania ! 

HANNAH 

(After  a  pause.") 

Nay,  nay,  nay, 

This  is  no  answer:    do  not  frighten  us! 
Whatever  purpose  so  disturbs  your  brain 
You  cannot  speak  it,  neither  shape  its  form 
Clearly  unto  yourself,  give  words,  but  words : 
Silence  is  poison. 

DAVID 

(Louder  than  before.} 
Quarantania ! 

[He  passes  out  the  door. 


44  THE  PROPHET: 

HANNAH 

Ah, 

He's  lost !     My  husband,  help  !   the  world  is  dark. 

[She  falls  in  a  swoon. 

SCENE  Y. 

A  wild,  rocky  valley  between  hills  covered  with  forests; 
on  the  left  an  overhanging  cliff;  a  small  brook  in  the 
foreground. 

DAVID 
(Solus.) 

The  second  day  is  sinking  to  its  end, 
How  slowly!     These  eternities  of  thought 
Wherein  I  grope,  and  strive  to  lose  myself, 
Spin  to  a  weary  length  the  glaring  hours. 
I  would  the  night  were  come ;   for  I  am  faint ; 
And  from  my  hold  the  things  I  pray  to  reach 
Seem  weakly  slipping.     Night  will  give  them  back, 
When  every  star  shines  comfort,  and  the  air 


A  TRAGEDY.  45 

Is  crossed  all  ways  by  print  of  noiseless  feet 
That  on  mysterious  errands  come  and  go. 
Could  I  recall  my  vision !      All  is  clear 
Save  that  —  my  bed  of  leaves  beneath  the  rock ; 
The  doubt  if.  I  were  still  indeed  myself, 
And  any  thing  was  what  it  seemed ;   until 
Came  languid  peace,  then  awe  and  shuddering 
Without  a  cause,  a  frost  in  every  vein, 
And  the  heart  hammered,  as  to  burst  mine  ears : 
Something  slid  past  me,  cold  and  serpent-like : 
The  trees  were  filled  with  whispers  ;    and  afar 
Called  voices  not  of  man :    and  then  my  soul 
Went  forth  from  me,  and  spread  and  grew  aloft 
Through    darting  lights  —  His   arrows    here    and 

there 
Shot   down  on   earth.     But    now    my   knowledge 

fades : 

What  followed,  keener,  mightier,  than  a  dream, 
My  hope  interprets.      Only  this  I  know, — 


46  THE  PROPHET  : 

The  dark,  invisible  pillars  of  the  sky 
Breathed  like  deep  organ-pipes  of  awful  sound  : 
A  myriad  myriad  tongues  the  choral  sang; 
And  drowned  in  it,  stunned  with  excess  of  power, 
My  soul  sank  down,  and  sleep  my  body  touched. 

[He  pauses,  and  looks  around.] 

The  shadows  will  not  lengthen.      All  my  throat 
Seems  choked  with  dust.      I  never  knew  before 
How  beautiful  may  be  a  little  brook. 
I  cannot  leave  it,  cannot  turn  mine  eyes, 
So  tempting  and  so  innocent  it  runs. 
If  I  might  drink  !     The  dry  blood  else  may  breed 
Fever  and  flightiness.      I  must  be  sound, 
Or  soon — 

[He  stoops  suddenly,  dips  up   the   water  in  his  hand,  and 
drinks.] 

Oh,  sweet  as  C  ana's  wedding-wine ! 
Did  He  not  offer  it?     Such  sudden  bliss, 


A  TPwYGEDY  47 

Born  of  the  body,  penetrates  my  brain ! 
I  doubt  no  more :    the  vision  will  return. 

{There   is   a   rustling  among  the   leaves.     A    snake   thrusts 
its  head  forth  from  under  a  bush,  and  gazes  at  him.'} 

Temptation,  was  it?   and  the  tempter,  thou, 

In  thy  first  shape?     I  will  not  be  afeared. 

If  thou  hast  power,  come  forth:   if  I,  depart! 

I  dare  the  fascination  of  thine  eyes. 

Look  thou,  lest  mine  subdue  thee.      Is  it  so? 

He  veils  the  glittering,  bead-like  sparks,  and  turns, 

Startled,  and  winds  in  sinuous  escape. 

Why,  this  is  fresh  fulfilment  of  the  Word ! 

Faint  not,  my  soul :   the  rest  will  surely  come. 

\_He  walks  slowly  away, 

{After  a  little  space  enters) 

NIMKOD    KRAFT 

Yon  must  be  he  they  seek :   he  is  the  same 
I  also  seek ;   but  let  me  not  be  rash. 


48  THE  PROPHET  : 

If,  by  the  spirit  driven  that  bade  him  speak, 
He  hides  for  meditation,  or  is  verily  daft, 
As  they  whose  minds  take  up  too  sore  a  load, 
He  must  be  humored.     I  will  watch  him  close 
Until  some  act  or  gesture  give  me  hint, 

And  then  approach  discreetly. 

\He  follows. 

(Enter  RHODA   and  PETER.) 

PETER 

Shall  I  call 
(He   knows   my  whoop),   or   sing    the    hymn    he 

made? 

[Sings,  but  not  loudly.] 

"If  one  to  yonder  mountain  saith, 
'Be  cast  into  the  sea!"] 

There !      I  forget  the  rest. 

RHODA 

Nay,  now;   keep  still! 
I've  but  a  guess  to  guide  me ;    and  it  says 


A  TKAGEDY.  49 

He  will  not  see  us.     Sure,  that  word  betrayed 
His  thought.      But   can   this    be    the    place?     or 

where  ? 

Ah,  while  we  wait,  perhaps  he's  lying  dead ! 
Foolish !   I  know  he  lives.      Some  lives  are  safe, 
Because  they  are  not  meant  for  pleasant  paths : 
Some  wits  keep  sound,  to  work  for  other  minds. 
I  must  not  fear;   he  would  not  have  me  fear: 
If  he  discover  us,  I  must  be  shamed, 
Showing  so  little  faith. 

PETER 

And  so  much  care ! 

If  this  goes  on,  I'll  shortly  preach  myself. 
I'll  give  you  sparrows  for  example,  toads, 
And  stupid  owls :    no  one  goes  off  alone, 
And  t'other  fears  to  look  for't !     Did  the  Lord 
Put  such  a  powerful  pressure  on  his  head, 

4 


50  THE   PROPHET: 

To  leave  him,   sudden,  like  a  will-o'-the-wisp, 
The  work  unfinished?     Then  'twas  not  the  Lord. 

RHODA 

You've  spoken  wiselier,  Peter,  than  you  think. 

PETER 

So  wisdom's  cheap  !     I  never  valued  much 
My  random  notions  :    what  they  call  horse-sense 
I  always  had;    and  that  sometimes  will  serve 
Even  folks  that  prance  so  high  above  our  heads. 
Now,  here's  the  question:      Is  he  like  to  starve? 
You  think  he  means  to  try  it.      Well  and  good  !  — 
And  we  must  search,  but  not  find  openly; 
Feed  him,  without  his  knowledge  ;  watch  his  ways, 
And  not  be  noticed.      So  I've  nought  to  do 
But  look  for  tracks,  and  leave  the  provender: 
The  risk  is  yours. 

[He  goes  slowly  up  the  brook,  with  a  basket  on  his  arm. 


A  TRAGEDY.  51 

RHODA 

(Solus.) 

I  try  to  force  my  soul 
To  follow  his,  and  question  not  the  way. 
Within  this  valley  called  the  Wilderness 
He  must  be  hidden,   if  I  understand, 
To  win,  in  solitude,  the  faith  and  power. 
'T  s  pleasant,   now :   the  shadows  of  the  hills 
Soothe    the    hot    leaves    with    dreams   of  coming 

dew ; 

The  crannies  of  the  serpent-haunted  rocks 
No  longer  threaten ;    and  the  water  here 
Runs  onward  with  a  soft,  contented  sound. 
I  will  believe  him  safe.      And  what  is  night 
But  as  a  darksome  cloth  that  covers  us? 
Nothing  can  harm  him,  for  he  did  no  harm ; 
And  that  for  which  he  goes  apart  from  all 
Will     be     vouchsafed,     or     prayer     is     fruitless 

breath. 


52  THE  PROPHET  : 

PETER 

(Returning.} 

I  found  his  track!  —  beside  yon  biggest  rock, 
On  the  flat  sand,  a  little  water-soaked, 
And  made  so  freshly,  that  I  stooped.      You   said 
He  must  not  see  us. 

RHODA  " 

And  you  left  him  food? 

PETER 

Upon  a  shelf  that  jutted  from  the  rock, 
Smooth  as  a  platter.      There's  no  other  place, 
Up  stream  or  down,  but  briery  thickets  grow; 
And,  if  he  pass  before  the  fowls  o'  the  air 
Spy  out  his  supper  — 

RHODA 

Come,  it  is  enough! 
So  glad  am  I  at  having  guessed  aright, 


A  TRAGEDY.  53 

I  crave  no  more,  lest,  pressing  on  too  close, 
I  spoil  the  certainty  of  what  remains. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE  VI. 

Another  part  of  the  valley;    NIMROD    KRAFT  near  some 
lushes;    DAVID  at  a  little  distance. 

NIMROD 

Behind  these  bushes  I  can  watch  at  will. 
He  thinks  himself  alone ;    nay,  not  of  that 
Thinks  he  at  all :   his  gaze  is  bent  aloft, 
Or  falls,   and  roots  itself  before  his  feet. 
So  young !      Yet  even  here  he  bears  himself 
As  one  commissioned,  who  but  waits  the  brief, 
With  seal  and  clear  subscription,  ere  he  act. 
Why  not?     Has  God  been  sleeping  all  this  while, 
Or  only  men?     They  stand  afar  and  strange, 
And  count  their  generations  Gentile  still. 
Of  Christian  parents  Christian  children  come, 


54  THE  PROPHET: 

Baptized  before  begotten,  then  at  birth 

Set  back  to  ancient  heathendom,  and  spoiled 

Of  all  their  hoarded  heritage.     Not  such 

Is  he :   he  claims  his  birthright,  will  possess, 

And  may  restore  to  others,  bringing  back 

The  old,  forgotten  forces  of  the  Church, 

Whose  right  hand  is  Authority,  whose  left 

Obedience.      But,  however  he  may  build, 

My  coarser  strength  must  hew  and  set  the  stones. 

If  but  my  purpose  can  be  squared  with  his ! 

Since  he  has  entered  in  this  open  tract 

His  spirit  wavers :    I  can  see  his  lips 

Move,  as  do  such  that  know  not  if  they  speak. 

There  is  no  better  moment :   I  will  go. 

\_He  steps  forth,  and  approaches  DAVID.] 

The  soul  within  me  hither  turns  my  feet, 
And  calls  upon  you.      Guide  me,  help  ;  forgive 
If  that  my  haste  offend !     I  come  as  he, 


A  TRAGEDY.  55 

Lame  from  his  birth,  that  shouted,  leapt,  and  ran, 
When  once  the  gentle  touch  had  made  him  whole. 

DAVID 

(After  a  pause.) 
I  healed  you,  then,  not  knowing. 

NIMROD 

Marvel  not! 

There's  too  much  virtue  in  a  perfect  faith 
To  take  the  measure  of  itself.      You  ARE  ; 
And  what  you  are,   not  knowing,  is  the  power. 

DAVID 

Nay,  there !     What  I  invoke  I  cannot  be. 
How  know  you  aught  of  me? 

NIMROD 

Yourself  did  make 

The  revelation.     When  I  saw  your  face 
Rise  from  the  crowd,  I  said  within  my  heart, 


56  THE  PROPHET  : 

"There's  one  will  sign  his  own  free  covenant! 
He  reaches  high :  my  arms  are  short  and  strong ; 
But  they  may  touch  the  gifts  within  his  hand." 
You  spake.     I  stood  afar ;   but  in  my  mouth 
Came  a  sweet  savor,  though  their  husks  and  stones 
Still  harsh  and  heavy  on  my  stomach  sat. 
It  needs  no  thousand  words  to  make  acquaint: 
There's   something  runs  in  souls  rno're  close  than 

blood 

Of  them  that  issue  from  the  selfsame  womb ; 
And  so  in  yours.    I  will  not  guess  your  prayer. 
But  its  fulfilment  surely  is  at  hand. 

DAVID 

(Hastily.') 

Make  no  conjecture  !      Speak  no  further  word ! 
There  was  a  veil  within  the  Temple :   grant 
I  may  have  lifted  up  its  awful  folds, 
And  stand,  not  blasted  yet,  nor  consecrate. 


A  TKAGEDY.  57 

NIMROD 

So  think  of  me  as  one  that  waits  without, 
Silent,  and  homing  much.     But,  ere  I  go, 

[Kneels.] 

I  pray  you  lay  your  hands  upon  my  head, 
And  bless  me,  wishing  that  to  my  belief 
Be  added  understanding ;  to  my  will, 
The  power  to  serve ;  to  mine  obedience, 
Some  gracious  gift. 

DAVID 

(Aside.} 

How,  then?    Without  the  power 
Assume  the  office?     Yet  a  blessing  dwells 
Within  the  heart  of  him  that  calls  it  down ; 
Or  else  he  dare  not. 

[To  NIMROD.] 

As  thou  askest,  so 

May  it  be  given !     From  laying  here  my  hands 
Expect  no  unction  more  than  I  possess. 


58  THE  PROPHET: 

NIMROD. 

(Rising.*) 

But  more  than  I  arn  worthy  to  receive 
Is  even  that,  so  filled  am  I  with  light! 
And  they,  dumb  souls,  who  for  a  single  ray 
Shout    "  Glory!"    and    are    saved,  —  how    could 

they  bear 

The  flood  that  enters  me  from  you  ?    Farewell ! 
A  part  is  granted:  you  have  forced  the  gate, 
And  stand  with  dazzled  eyesight.     When  you  see, 
Come  back  to  men. 

[Exit. 

DAVID 

A  powerful  soul !  and  yet 
Acknowledges  authority  in  me. 
Why  was  I  faint  or  doubtful?     Have  I  reached 
Too    high,    perchance,    or   dreamed    commissioned 
power 


A  TRAGEDY.  59 

Should  be  by  signs  and  wonders  heralded, 
Not  as  the  simple  consequence  of  faith? 
Faith  is  as  beauty  is :  no  maiden  feels 
Through  inner  sense  the  glory  of  her  face  ; 
But  it  shines  back  on  her  from  who  perceives. 
"With  dazzled  eyesight"?  Darkness  comes  of  that; 
And  on  the  finished  shrine  He  sank  in  cloud. 
If  power  unconsciously  be  held,  I  climb 
The  while  I  seem  to  beat  a  weary  round ; 
Possess  authority  beyond  my  sense  ; 
Am  blinded,  yea,  because  so  near  the  light ; 
And  weak,  since  even  now  my  shoulders  bear 
The  unwonted  burden.     Let  the  vision  come ! 
It  cannot  fail:   the  first  and  largest  star 
Already  glimmers  from  the  expanding  vault ; 
And  millions  wait  behind.      So  sure  as  they 
Shall  pierce  the  veil  when  thickest,  even  so 
The  first  faint  lamp  within  a  seeking  soul 
Foretells  the  revelations  crowding  on. 


60  THE  PKOPHET: 

SCENE  VII. 

A  room  in  the  farm-house ;  ELKANAH,  HANNAH,  DAVID, 
RHODA. 

HANNAH 

I  try  to  understand  you :   if  I  fail, 

The  heart  your  baby  head  found  comfort  on 

Is  not  to  blame. 

ELKANAH 

It's  all  a  waste  of  words ! 
You  look  for  duty,  and  it's  asked  of  you : 
Command,  or  wish,  or  plead,  one  answer  comes,  — 
He  has   "authority:"  so  much  I've  learned. 
When  once  a  man  says  that,  you  might  as  soon 
Prevail  upon  a  tortoise  in  the  shell : 
No  words  go  through  it.     I  have  said  my  say. 

DAVID 

If  I  had  given  you  grief  of  heart  ere  this, 
Sinned  unrepenting,  disobeyed  your  will, 


A  TRAGEDY.  61 

What  I  have  done  would  bring  rejoicing  now. 

There's  no  perversity  in  whole  desire, 

Or  the  receiving  of  the  gifts  unused 

Because  unclaimed.     I  could  not  help  but  reach ; 

Then,  plucking  back  my  hand,  I  found  it  filled. 

What  said  you,  mother,  all  my  years  of  youth, 

But  "Seek,  and  ye  shall  find"  ? 

HANNAH 

I  did,  my  son. 
That  you  have   sought,   I   know:    that   you   have 

found, 

I  will  believe.     But  if  a  healthy  tree, 
Grafted  with  apple,  bearing  apple-flowers, 
Should  after  yield  a  fruit  we  never  saw, 
What  man  would  taste  until  he  knew  it  safe? 
Thus  from  the  hope  I  nursed  springs  all  at  once 
A  something  strange,  sheer  wonderment  to  me 
That  gave  your  nature  most.      How  can  I  say 


62  THE   PROPHET: 

"  Go    on!"    not    knowing  whither,   or,     "  Come 

back ! " 
Haply  from  good  ? 

RHODA 

Say  nothing,  then,  but  wait: 
The  way  is  fixed.     I  know  not  how  I  feel 
His  purpose ;   yet  I  feel,  and  follow  him. 

DAVID 

Caught  out  of  darkness,  shall  I  turn  my  back 
Against  the  light?   or,  spent  from  wildering  ways, 
Refuse  the  path  that  makes  my  feet  secure? 
I  did  not  seek  my  struggle :    it  was  there. 
Why,  men  whose  souls  but  burrow  in  their  flesh 
To  feed,  like  worms  in  apples  early  ripe, 
May  say  to  mine :   Be  fat,  and  be  content ! 
But  me  God  sent  the  butterfly  instead ; 
And  it  must  flutter  in  the  sun,   or  die. 


A  TRAGEDY.  63 

PETER 

(Entering.') 

A  stranger  stands  outside.     He's  one  of  them, 
It    seems,    that    you,    that    they —     But      come 

yourself : 
Ten  steps  are  easier  than  my  telling  it. 

DAVID 

\ 

What  will  he? 

,          PETER 

Preaching.      There,  the  word  is  out ! 
You'll  guess  the  rest. 

[Exit  DAVID. 

ELKANAH 

The  business  just  goes  on 
As  I  expected !     When  was  notion  bred 
By  mortal  brain,  that  did  not  set  the  tongue 
In  gear,  to  run  full-tilt?     He'll  cackle,  too, 


64  THE   PKOPHET: 

So  long  as  folks  find  something  in  Ms  egg; 
Then,  maybe,  when  the  thing's  no  longer  fresh, 
There'll  be  an  end.     He  sows  religious  oats 
A  little  heavier  in  the  head,  that's  all ; 
But    thorns    and    stony    ground    will    waste    the 

crop, 
Or  Gospel  words  mean  nothing. 

PETER 

(Aside  to  RHODA.) 

All  the  talk 

(So  this  man  says)   in  our  and  other  towns 
Is  nought  but  David :    there's  no  end  of  tales. 
The  moral  of  it  they  don't  rightly  know, 
And  bend  their  ear-flaps,  like  a  restless  horse, 
To  catch  some  new  particular.      If,  now, 
He  has  the  call  to  preach,  they  have  to  hear. 

'Twill  come  to  that. 

»  [Exit. 


A  TRAGEDY.  65 

HANNAH 

I  never  thought  of  you 
As  of  a  daughter,  Ehoda ;    yet  I  see 
That  in  your  heart  his  ways  are  justified, 
As  in  his  own  yourself.     Men  love  the  will 
That  bends   to   theirs ;    and   she  who   fain  would 

guide 

Must  seem  to  follow.     I've  directed  him 
Too  long  to  make  a  new,  obsequious  change: 
The  place  is  yours.      But,  0  my  daughter    (hence 
I'll  call  you  so),  remember,   never  man, 
Though  gifted,  raised,   and  made  a  power  in  the 

world, 

Sufficed  unto  himself!      Else  he  were  god; 
And  she,  the  nearest,  first,  interpreting 
All  womankind  to  him,  he,  men  to  her, 
Is  called,  as  well,  to  claim  her  half  of  truth, 
So  testing  his.      I  may  have  borrowed  care 
Where  it  was  not  intended:   all  that's  come 


66  '  THE  PROPHET  : 

Is  what  my  natural  sight  had  long  foreseen, 
Were  it  not  partial.      I  must  needs  unloose 
The  precious  bond  of  guidance,  let  him  go, 
And  pray  far-off,  where  once  I  held  him  close, 
And  breathed  my  heart  in  his  believing  ear. 

KHODA 

Grapes  cannot  come  from  thorns,  but  neither  thorns 
From  fruitful  vines.     It  is  his  blossom-time, 
When  storm  or  sudden  chill  may  stint  the  fruit  : 
He  should  be  sheltered.      But  my  speech  is  scant ; 
And  what  I  say  sounds  other  than  I  feel. 
So  new  the  life  is  which  he  brings  to  mine, 
So  strange,   exalted,  I  forget  myself; 
And,  when  he  needs  another's  tongue,  I  fail. 
You  love  him,  you  will  shortly  understand. 
I  will  not  take   an  atom  that  was  yours 
In  all  his  thought:    what  he  bestows  on  me 
Is  only  love  ungranted  otherwise. 


A  TRAGEDY.  67 

SCENE   VIII. 

The  same  as  Scene  V-  Some  of  the  thickets  on  loth 
sides  of  the  brook  have  been  roughly  cleared  away.  A 
number  of  country-people,  chiefly  men,  are  gathered  in 
the  space  thus  made, — some  seated  on  scattered  stones, 
and  stumps  of  trees;  others  approaching  by  the  foot 
path  from  below.  Strong  sunshine  and  heavy  shadow 
alternately;  an  uncertain  sky,  portending  storm. 

FIRST   MAN 

Tis  a  fool's  errand  that  we  come,  I  fear. 

SECOND 
He'll  keep  his  word. 

FIRST 

Perhaps  ;   but  was  it  given  ? 

THIRD 

Ay,  given  to  me.      I  offered  him  a  chance 
Open  to  use  or  let  alone :   he  took 


68  THE  PBOPHET: 

As  eagerly  as  one  that  in  the  road 
Sees  a  stray  gold-piece. 

SECOND 

Be  he  cracked  or  sane, 
Four  days,  they  say,  he  fasted  hereabouts, 
Then,     fresh     and     fair,     went     home.      I'd     not 

believe, 

But  for  accounts  of  such  and  stranger  things 
Before  our  time. 

FIRST 

He's  nowise  different 

From  you  or  me.      A  little  fresh  conceit, 
Like  3^east,  will  puff  a  brain  above  its  pan. 

THIRD 
It's  more  than   that   in   him.      He  looked  straight 

through 

The  face  I  had,  and  saw  what  lay  below,  — 
Namely,  no  faith,  but  some  curiosity, 


A  TRAGEDY.  69 

A  little  fun  withal ;   I  hardly  know,  — 
And  smiled,  but  in  a  queer,  forgiving  way, 
That  hurt  me  afterwards.    - 

SECOND 

Stay,  there  he  comes! 
I  mark  no  flighty  or  conceited  airs, — 
A  plain  young  man,  pale  face,  and  shining  eyes : 
He   mounts   the  rock.      See   how  the   sun   comes 

out, 
And    strikes    his    head !      Be    silent,    you !      Sit 

down, 
Make  no  disturbance,  let  him  speak  his  mind! 

DAVID 

(Standing  upon  the  rock,    sings :    RHODA    and    PETER, 
below,  join  in  the  hymn.) 

Oh,  praise  the  Lord  the  Giver! 

Kelieve  His  burdened  hands! 
His  miracles  deliver 

The  congregated  lands: 
He  poureth  as  a  river, 

And  we  but  take  the  sands. 


70  THE  PKOPHET: 

His  fruitful  boughs  are  shaken; 

His  bounties  fall  as  rain: 
We  sit  with  souls  mistaken, 

In  penitence  and  pain: 
Awaken,  world,  awaken, 

And  spread  His  feast  again! 


SECOND    MAN 

A  gay  beginning !      I  could  join  in  that 
With  all  my  voice. 

FIRST 

They  sing  to  lively  tunes 
In  many  churches. 

THIRD 

Yes,  but  say,  the  while, 
They're  stolen  from  the  Devil.      May  be  so ; 
But  then  the  Devil  must  be  a  jolly  soul, 
And  angels  doleful  as  Begone,  dull  car  el 


A  TKAGEDY.  71 

•% 
DAVID 

What    come    ye    out    to    see?     A    reed    in    the 

wind? 

But  if  God's  lips  unto  a  reed  be  set,  — 
The  dryest  one  that  whistles  in  the  marsh, — 
There    comes     a     music     that    can    soothe     the 

world. 

I  make  no  claim:   I  tried  to  understand 
The  many  promises  that  rust  unused ; 
And  all  I  asked,  was,  Are  they  granted  yet? 
Then,  rising  high  as  agony  of  prayer 

« 

May  lift  a  mortal,  lo !    the  answer  came. 
Show  me  the  term,  or  limit !     There  is  none : 
Eestore  conditions,  you  restore  the  power; 
And  He  who  waiteth  for  a  thousand  years 
Will  manifest  His  wonders.     They  who  teach, 
You  say,  are  silent  as  to  this?    Why, 'then 
Let     them     make     answer  !        Gifts     of     many 
tongues, 


72  THE  PROPHET: 

Of  healing,  miracle,  and  prophecy, 

Given  to  His  followers,  by  them  to  theirs, 

Are  buried  treasures  for  this  drowsy  race. 

He  offering  helmet,  buckler,  sword,  and   spear,  — 

Armor      of      proof,  —  perchance      a      shepherd's 

staff 

We  take,  reluctant,  mendicants  where  He 
Awaits    the    guests     that    know    their    welcome 

sure. 

So  dust  and  cobwebs  fill  the  temple ;  so 
The  cedarn  beams  are  rotted  in  their  place  ; 
The    trumps    and    timbrels    crack,   and  wake    no 

more 

The  songs  of  Zion :   all  is  desolate, 
As  we  were  Israel  that  turned  away! 
'Tis     time     a    mighty    wind     should    whirl     the 

chaff 
From     idle      threshing-floors  :      my     breath     is 

weak, 


A  TEAGEDY.  73 

So  others  not  increase  it,  yet  thou,  Lord, 

Who  knowest  whether  I  deserve  or  no 

Thy   signs   of  power, — who,    should   I  point,    as 

now, 

My  finger  at  the  crest  of  yonder  rock, 
And  say,  "Be  thou  removed!"  — 

[J.  part  of  the  rock  crashes  down  with  a  great  noise 
and  reverberation.  Cries  of  terror,  and  much  con 
fusion  among  the  people.] 


VOICES 

It  falls  ;   it  falls  ! 

The  world  is  coming  to  an  end!     He  spake, 
And  it  obeyed!     A  prophet,  yea,  a  prophet! 


74  THE  PEOPHET: 

DAVID 

(Who  has  remained  quietly   standing   upon   the   rock,  pale 
and  rapt.} 

Be  not  afraid!     The  power  that  works  within, 
If  it  but  shiver  down  one  crumbling  edge 
Of  old  indifference,  is  mightier  yet. 
Therefore,  I  take  it  from  His  open  hand, 
Who  made  yon  stones  to  fall.     I  hurl  on  you 
His  arrows,  and  the  shining  of  His  spear : 
I  bid  believe,  not  me,  but  what,  renewed, 
In  me  is  manifest:    I  call  you  back 
From  pools  made  muddy  by  the  paddling  feet 
Of  darkened  generations,  to  the  fount 
He  cleft,  now  gushing  in  a  desert  land. 
He    waits,    how    long!  'His    summons,    day    by 
day  — 

{Thunder  and  lightning.] 


A  TRAGEDY.  75 

VOICES 

We  do  believe  you.     Turn  His  wrath  away! 
A  Prophet,  yea,  a  Prophet ! 

DAVID 

There  He  spake : 

Doubt  not,  as  oft  of  old,  but  now  attend 
The  voice  within  you,  which  is  He  indeed. 
Oh !     spread     Thy     banners     on     the     streaming 

wind; 

Come  as  the  morning ;  broaden  as  the  day ; 
Fill  the  dark  places  with  Thy  healing  light ; 
And,  once  Thy  reign  assured,  cast  me  aside, 
So  glorified  in  mine  un worthiness, 
Because    I    saw    when    Thou    didst    touch    mine 

eyes ! 
Come,    now,    in     thunder     and     the     clouds     of 

heaven, 


76  THE  PKOPHET. 

And  purifying  cisterns  of  the  rain, 
To  wash  Thy N world,  and  fit  it  for  the  sun! 
Thy  day  is  near  at  hand:   the  glory  shed 
With  all  Thy  promises  shall  doubled  be 
On  all  Thy  gifts. 

[A  storm  arises, — thunder,  wind,  and  raw.] 
VOICES 

A  Prophet,  yea,  a  Prophet  I 


ACT  II. 

SCENE   I. 

Afternoon.  The  crest  of  a  rise,  or  swell,  in  a  broad  prairie. 
To  the  westward,  in  the  distance,  a  line  of  timber,  denoting 
the  course  of  a  stream;  a  train  of  emigrant-wagons 
scattered  along  the  road  thither.  On  the  crest  a  solitary 
wagon,  its  canvas  cover  partly  folded  back.  DAVID 
and  RHODA,  with  a  child  in  her  lap,  seated  in  it;  PETER 
standing  at  the  horses'  heads. 


RHODA 

YOU'RE  weary,  husband :   is  it  far  to  camp  ? 

DAVID 

Two  hours, — to  yonder  smoky  line  of  trees. 
The  signs  of  heaven  are  fair:    the  earth  believes 
In  them,  and,  glad  as  any  living  thing, 

77 


78  THE  PROPHET: 

Smiles  far  and  wide.     The  sky  is  larger  here, 
And  brighter ;    other  life  is  in  the  winds ; 
The  grass  is  lost  beneath  a  waste  of  flowers: 
It  is  our  promised  land. 

RHODA 

At  last! 

DAVID 

Ah,  me ! 

This  weight  and  perilous  sinking  of  the  heart, 
That  ever  looks  before,  or  stubbornly 
Tastes  the  o'ercome  distresses  of  the  past ! 
I  gave  the  guidance  of  my  mind  away, 
To  be  uplifted :  now,  on  lower  things,  — 
On  trial,  parting,  woe  of  ignorant  love, — 
I  dwell,  as  were  they  shadows  coming  on. 

PETER 
(Sings.) 

We  are  swallows  seeking  the  laud  of  spring: 
"We  are  faint,  we  have  far  to  roam: 


A  TRAGEDY.  79 

When  shall  we  fold  the  weary  wing, 
Lord,  in  Thy  promised  home? 
Home ! 
We  are  bound  for  the  promised  home! 

DAVID 

How  is  it  that  I  still  upbear  their  souls? 
The  land,  the  temple,  and  His  coming  reign, 
Through  me,  and  their  acceptance  of  my  power, 
Fill  and  content  them :    I  should  be  content, 
If  human  memories  were  not  obstinate 
As  human  needs.      Do  you  remember  still 
The  day  that  tried  me  most,  and  mother's  words,  — 
"I  cannot  follow  you,  and  dare  not  hold 
Farewell !  we  shall  not  meet  on  earth  again "  ? 
What  I  obeyed  expunged  the  seeming  wrong, 
But  not  its  lingering  sense ;  for  while  the  wind 
Blows  softly  over  these  unpeopled  plains, 
And  in  the  middle  watches  of  the  night, 
And  when  the  young  birds    cheep   their  wish  for 
morn. 


80  THE   PROPHET: 

I  hear  her  say,  and  see  her  tearless  eyes,  — 
"I  cannot  follow  you,  and  dare  not  hold: 
Farewell !  we  shall  not  meet  on  earth  again." 

RHODA 

(Bending  over  her  child.) 
Sleep,   baby,    sleep !       The    wind    will    blow    the 

flowers, 
The  trees  will  drop  their  berries,  all  for  thee. 

PETER 

(Sings.) 

We  will  build  the  temple  broad  and  high, 

And  crowned  with  a  golden  dome  ; 
For  the  day  of  the  Lord  is  surely  nigh, 

When  we  reach  the  promised  home. 
*  Home  ! 

We  shall  dwell  in  the  promised  home  ! 

DAVID 

They  shame  me,  who  have  also  left  their  all, 
Save,  nurtured  with  an  easier  hope,  they  bear 


A  TRAGEDY.  81 

A  lighter  sorrow ;    yet  as  day  by  day 
Their  hosts  increase,  so  mounts  the  sum  of  faith- 
There  was  a  woman  came,  a  week  agone, 
To  hear  my  message :    on  the  outer  edge 
Of  those  few  gathered  in  the  dusky  hall 
She  sat,  and  fixed  me  with  her  wondrous  eyes. 
At  first  I  said,  'Tis  Mary  Magdalen, 
Whose  sin  forgiven  still  left  her  virtue  sad; 
But,  kindled  with  my  words,  the  while  I  drew 
A  picture  of  the  kingdom  she  became 
Queen  Esther,  as  in  Shushan's  royal  house 
She  touched  the  sceptre,  proud,  obedient, 
Sure  of  the  end.     A  power  came  forth  from  her, 
As  if  of  wings  companioning  mine  own. 
Can  she  believe,  nor  follow? 

RHODA 

Bather  think 
On  these  your  faithful  flock.     If  she  have  power, 

6 


82  THE  PKOPHET  : 

Indeed,  the  greater  sin  of  pride  is  hers, 
Whose  gold  and  gay  apparel  are  her  gods. 

DAVID 

(Musingly.) 
The  light  of  guidance  never  was  so  clear 

And  then  deceived :  what  instruments  I  have 

Rough  hands  of  workmen,  by  whose  awkward  use 

The  gifts  almost  become  a  mockery 

Still  leave  me  helpless  when  the  finer  sense 
Would  snatch  from  floating  lines  a  plan  supreme. 
There  must  be  law,  pure  discipline  of  lives, 
Foundations  set,  and  pleasant  sheepfolds  made 
In  desolate  places.     Ah !  were  only  one 
But  near  me,  bathed  in  equal  bliss  of  faith, 
To  see,  where  I  am  dazzled,  and  to  say, 
"Build  higher!  here  enlarge  the  pillared  front, 
There  push  thy  climbing  pinnacles  aloft!" 
Even  light  is  lonely  to  a  human  soul. 


A  TRAGEDY.  83 

Two  glories  are  there ;  and  but  one  they  know, 
Save  her  who  saw,  then  closed  reluctant  eyes. 

RHODA 

Can  you  be  faint  of  spirit  while  by  you 
We  all  are  led?    Then  is  the  body  weak, 
And  rest  will  be  your  medicine. 

DAVID 

(To  PETER) 

Go  on! 

PETER 

(Driving  onward,  sings.') 

The  bolts  of  the  Lord  shall  fall  and  burn 

On  Babylon  and  on  Rome  ; 
But  the  chosen  seed  shall  safe  return, 

To  dwell  in  His  promised  home. 
Home  ! 

We  have  found  His  promised  home  ! 


84  THE  PROPHET  : 

SCENE   II. 

Night.  A  camp  on  the  banks  of  a  small  stream.  Men, 
women,  and  children  grouped  about  fires  under  the  trees. 
In  the  centre  a  tent,  before  ^vhich  a  pole,  stuck  in  the  earth, 
bears  a  blazing  torch.  Outside  of  the  camp  a  guard  is 
heard  to  challenge  some  one  approaching.  After  the  pass 
word,  "  Zion"  enter  NIMROD  KRAFT.  He  dismounts 
from  his  horse,  and  draws  near  the  tent. 

NIMROD 

Hail,  Prophet  David !     Grace  and  blessing  be 
To  all  the  chosen ! 

DAVID 

/ 

Be  the  words  fulfilled! 

You  come  beforehand,  like  the  dove,  to  say 
The  waters  settle,  and  the  olive-tree 
Puts  forth  new  leaves.     We  shall  possess  the  land. 

NIMROD 

We  do  possess  it.     On  the  highest  bluff 
That  overlooks  full  twenty  miles  of  stream, 


A  TRAGEDY.  85 

Now  stand  a  hundred  cabins :    we  have  staked 
The  streets,  first  measured  with  the  holy  reed, 
And  broken  cornfields  from  the  stubborn  sod, 
And  set  young  gardens  round  about  the  place, 
That  much  do  flourish.      Every  work  is  blessed: 
Even  the  quarry-stones  come  loose  in  squares, 
As  if  they  hastened  to  be  lifted  up, 
And  made  the  temple. 

DAVID 

All!  when  once  it  stands, 
A  visible  sign,  a  shelter  for  our  ark! 

NIMROD 

Even  so  we  feel.     They  give  their  tithing-time 
In  faith  and  in  rejoicing :    I  have  used 
The  power  you  delegated  to  my  hands, 
Sifted  the  wheat,  and  sent  some  chaff  adrift, 
Fixed  ordered  rule,  exacted  industry, 


86  THE  PROPHET: 

And  so  blocked  roughly  out  what  you  may  shape 
To  pure  proportions :    as  my  work  below 
Grows  up,  may  yours  complete  it  from  above ! 

DAVID 

Let  all  the  frame-work  needful  for  our  flock, 
As  shelter,  or  enclosing  law,  be  raised, 
And  quickly.      I  have  given  you  the  Twelve ; 
Yet  they  debate,  methinks,  or  seek  to  know 
Who  shall  sit  highest. 

NIMROD 

Thus  it  was  of  old. 

Your  headship  must  remain  ;  for  you  alone 
Possess  direct  commission.     Let  them  see  — 
They  whom  3'our  messengers  found  here  and  there, 
And,  not  beholding,  none  the  less  believe  — 
What  power  is  yours.     A  little  thing's  enough. 

DAVID 
What  mean  you? 


A  TBAGEDY.  87 

NIMROD 

Well,  I  find  it  natural. 
Your  coming  will  be  made  a  holy  day ; 
For  all  shall  then  be  gathered  as  a  brood 
Beneath    your    wings.     And    something    they  ex 
pect, 

Some  sign,  or  show,  as  reconfirming  faith ; 
Or  revelation,  such  as  ignorant  souls 
Gape  at  and  glory  in.      None  promised  this : 
But  they  believe ;    and  therefore  they  expect. 

DAVID 

When  I  was  small,  I  planted  once  a  tree, 
Then  every  second  morning  plucked  it  up 
To  see  if  it  were  growing.      Summer  came  ; 
And  while  the  others,  left  alone,  were  green, 
Mine    pined    and    perished.      Give   the   flock,    in 
stead, 
This  parable. 


83  THE  PROPHET: 

NIMROD 

They  would  not  understand. 
Transplanted  faith  (let  me  the  rather  say) 
Needs  watering,  shelter,  all  the  gardener's  care, 
Till  it  be  rooted.      Ponder  this  yourself. 
Put  on  your  sandals ;  leave  the  holier  ground, 
And  walk  in  dust  among  the  multitude : 
So  shall  you  feel  their  need. 

DAVID 

I  never  asked 

But  what  is  offered  freely  unto  all. 
There  is  no  flame,  it  seems,  that  of  itself 
Will  burn  in  earthly  air ;    but,  then,  is  flame, 
When  fed  from  coarser  aliment,  less  pure? 
Water  pollutes  itself  from  what  is  washed ; 
But  fire  takes  up  its  own,  and  spurns  the  dross, 
If  that  were  possible  to  me  — 


A  TEAGEDY.  89 

NIMROD 

Yourself 

Shall  winnow,  with  a  finer  fan  than  ours, 
Whom  we  have  gathered.     All  is  ready,  else. 
I  will  not  keep  your  body  from  its  rest. 
With  Hugh  and  Jonas,  members  of  the  Twelve, 
I  must  consult,  so  portioning  the  homes, 
That  none  shall  mark  advantage  of  the  rest. 
The  flock  is  jealous :    softly  on  the  nose 
Must  we  pat  every  sheep,  as  well  as  feed. 

[Exit. 

DAVID 

(To  RHODA,  who  has  overheard  the  dialogue.) 
There  goes  a  sense  with  which  I  cannot  strive, 
So  well  it  builds,  and  so  obediently ; 
Yet  power  is  lessened  when  it  touches  me. 

RHODA 

I  did  not  like  the  man,  when  he  —  I  mean 
His  hardness  first  repelled ;   but  now,  perhaps, 


90  THE  PROPHET: 

He  is  the  coarser  fuel,  you  the  flame ; 
And  each  may  need  the  other.     I,  too,  feel 
That  they  which  follow,  never  having  seen, 
Deserve  a  sign. 

DAVID 

If  so,  the  Lord  will  send. 

[Exit  into  the  lent. 

RHODA 

Not  their  belief,  but  who  it  is  believes, 
Gives  him  support.     That  was  a  happy  time, 
When  we  alone  went  wandering  through  the  land ; 
For  few  could  jeer,  though  many  sore  abused ; 
And  ever  here  and  there  a  soul  was  caught 
Out  from  the  Gentiles,   and  was  glad  with  us ; 
And  Zion  with  its  temple  shone  afar, 
More  beautiful,  I  think,  than  now  at  hand. 
I  must  not  murmur:  we  are  verily  blessed, 


A  TRAGEDY.  91 

Put  past  the  reach  of  persecuting  hands, 
And  guided  so,  that  this  fair  wilderness 
Already  bears  the  roses  as  we  pass. 

SCENE    III. 

Another  part  of  the  camp.     NIMROD,  HUGH,  and  JONAS 

seated  near  a  fire. 

HUGH 

He  will  not,  think  you? 

NIMROD 

Nay,  I  said  not  that. 
I  only  charge  that  nothing  be  proclaimed ; 

•*. 

Then  whatsoever  come,  if  so  it  come, 

Will  have  more  operation.      See,  the  flock 

Is  over-hungry  for  continual  signs  ; 

Which,  could  they  be  bespoken,  would  be  nought 

But  independence  of  the  Lord. 


92  THE  PROPHET  : 

JONAS 

Maj'be. 

But  I  that  chose  the  gift  of  healing,  I 
That  have  obeyed  in  all  things,  I  should  heal ! 
If  he  must  husband  up  his  power  to  spend 
On  higher  miracles,  enough  is  mine 
For  lesser  work :    so   strengthen,  then,  my  hands, 
That  they  on  whom  I  lay  them  shall  be  whole. 

NIMROD 

The  wish  may  choose :   possession  comes  by  faith. 
Know  surely  that  you  have  it,  and  you  have. 

JONAS 
How  know  without  a  test? 

NIMROD 

Ah  !    there  you  lack 

The  last  anointing ;   there  the  prophet  stands 
Transparent  in  his  own  internal  light, 


A  TRAGEDY.  93 

While  yours  is  cloudy  still.     When  you  foresee 
The  healing  of  your  hands,  your  hands  will   heal. 

HUGH 

So  works  the  gift?     But,  if  his  foresight  be 

Indeed  so  perfect,  it  were  rude  to  say, 

As  cheer  to  some,  and  guidance  unto  all, 

This  member  strays,  that  rises  ;  these  receive, 

Or  lose,  that  our  authority  be  firm ; 

For  such  picked  out  for  higher  reach  of  faith 

Will  stand,  supporting  us,  above  the  rest. 

NIMROD 

First    show  them  patience !      Gathered   here   and 

there, 

The  dust  of  other  life  upon  their  shoes, 
The  stagnant  blood  of  other  creeds  not  yet 
Purged   from   their  veins,  the   Gentile   taunt    still 

loud 
In  ear  and  memory,  restless  from  the  change 


94  THE  PROPHET  : 

And  long  privation  of  the  pilgrimage, 

They  hear  but  half ly :    we  must  give  them  rest, 

Fitting  their  shoulders  to  an  easy  yoke, 

Filling  their  cribs,  and  warmly  bedding  them, 

Till  they  will  rather  serve  within  our  fold 

Than  rule  outside  of  it. 

JONAS 

Is  all  prepared 

For  us  who  come?     The  people  hear  of  those 
Who,  first  arriving,  may  be  better  placed. 

NIMROD 

I  did  not  take  my  gift  of  prophecy 
In  vain :    so  ye  declare  it  unto  all, 
Contentment  waits  for  woman,  man,  and  child ; 
But  to  yourselves  I  promise  more  belief. 
Go,  hither  bring  the  tally  of  your  men : 
My  work  is  yet  unfinished. 

[Exit  HUGH  and  JONAS.] 


A  TRAGEDY.  95 

All  alike ! 

No  one  is  certain  that  he  has  the  power, 
Unless  his  neighbor  says  so.      Tell  them,  then, 

• 

They  govern,  governing  myself  the  while. 

So  far  were  eas}r :   yet  from  him  comes  forth 

The  fire  that  makes  their  dull  cold  metal  bend ; 

And  when  to  kindle  it  is  in  his  will, 

Not  mine.     He  has  a  look  of  weariness ; 

And  out  of  languor  comes  no  miracle. 

But  oft,  from  very  expectation,  springs 

The  thing  expected,  if  a  cooler  skill 

Command  the  heat  of  others.     What  she  plans  — 

If  any  thing,  indeed  —  I  cannot  guess  ; 

Not  even  whether  like  or  dislike  looked 

From  eyes  that  only  seemed  to  hide  her   thought. 

Turn  either  way,  I'm  poking  in  the  dark. 

Well,  well!   the  morrow  is  the  clearer  day. 


96  THE  PROPHET: 


SCENE   IV. —  THE   CITY. 

A  street  on  a  high,  airy  plateau,  overlooking  the  course  of 
a  great  river.  In  the  centre  stand  the  unfinished  walls 
of  the  temple  ;  opposite  to  them  a  house  larger  than  the 
others,  its  front  hung  with  garlands,  and  an  arch  of 
green  boughs  spanning  the  entrance.  The  people,  several 
hundred  in  number,  are  drawn  up  in  lines  on  loth  sides 
of  the  street,  with  branches  in  their  hands.  Shouts  are 
heard  in  the  distance,  announcing  the  arrival  of  the 
train :  then  DAVID  appears  on  horseback,  a  little  in  ad 
vance,  bare-headed,  and  wearing  a  long  white  mantle: 
the  people  cast  their  branches  before  him. 


HYMN. 

"We  have  left  the  land  of  Egypt 
For  the  place  of  our  desire: 

Fallen  is  the  gated  city; 
And  the  woe  thereof  is  dire: 

The  boughs  of  the  tree  are  withered, 
And  the  women  set  them  on  fire! 


A  TRAGEDY.  97 

Lo!  who  is  he  that  cometh 

In  the  name  of  the  Holy  One? 
The  bearers  of  gladsome  tidings 

Before  his  pathway  run: 
He  bringeth  us  out  of  darkness, 

As  the  star  that  brings  the  sun. 

[The  women  step  forward  on  each  side,  and  sing,  LIVIA 
E.OMNEY,  with  a  crown  in  her  hand,  standing  in 
the  midst. ,] 

Hail,  all  hail,  to  the  prophet, 

"Whose  reign  begins  to-day! 
"Who  hath  laid  his  firm  foundations 

In  the  dust  of  the  world's  decay: 
He  rnaketh  the  dry  bough  blossom; 

He  gathers  the  sheep  that  stray. 

DAVID 

(Aside.} 

It  is  herself!     How  beautiful  she  stands, 
Forgetful  of  the  stare  of  wondering  eyes, 
And  filled  with  promise  of  mysterious  power ! 
She's  Miriam  now,  and  sings  deliverance. 
7 


98  THE   PROPHET: 

I  breathe  again :    the  weight  falls  off  my  soul, 

As  poising  rocks  are  started  by  a  sound ; 

And  I  am  glad  and  strong  for  what  may  come. 

LIVIA 

(Stepping  forward.} 

Thrice  hail,  O  Prophet !     Bow  but  once  before 
Thy  humble  handmaid,  not  as  honoring  her, 
But  that  she  reach  thy  consecrated  brow. 

[David  bends  down  his  head :   she  places    the  crown  upon 

it.-] 

Forgive  me,  that,  when  first  I  did  believe, 

I  failed  to  follow :    thus  it  came  to  pass 

I  went  before  to  seal  mine  evidence, 

Lest  that  were  vain  which  I  would  ask  of  thee. 

HUGH 
(To    NlMEOD.) 

Who  is  the  woman? 


A  TRAGEDY.  99 

NIMROD 

More  than  is  her  name 
I  cannot  say.      'Tis  but  four  days  ago 
She  landed  from  the  river.     Worldly  store 
She  seems  to  have,  and  knowledge  of  the  world, 
Notable  cunning  of  the  hand  and  eye, 
And  influence  with  her  sex  —  perhaps  with  ours. 
Foremost  in  planning  this  array  was  she  ; 
Went  here  and  there  ;    was  always  first  and  last ; 
And  therefore  fell  to  her,  by  proper  right, 
The  place  she  wanted. 

DAVID 

(After  a  pause.} 

Thou  art  one  of  us. 

There  is  no  high  or  low :    each  bows  to  each 
In  whom  the  Spirit  lives.     I  saw  thy  faith, 
And  called  thee :  well  it  was  that  thou  didst  hear. 
Not  they  who  yield  when  buffeted  by  words, 


100  THE  PROPHET: 

And  shaken  by  the  signs,  bat  they  who  feel, 
Like  wandering  birds,  where  lies  the  summer-land, 
And  strike  their  way  across  the  printless  air, 
Build  up  the  kingdom.      Thine  obedience 
Is  as  a  soil  for  planting  of  the  power. 
What  is  it  thou  wouldst  ask? 

LIVIA 

The  gift  of  tongues. 

DAVID 

(After  looking  in  her  face  a  moment,  beckons.     She   comes 
nearer.} 

Take  thou  the  gift,  in  measure  as  thy  faith 
Shall  justify,  and  even  so  exercise. 

LIVIA 

(Steps  lack  a  pace,  keeping  her  eyes  fixed  on  DAVID. 
She  rises  to  her  full  height,  with  uplifted  head,  and 
points  towards  the  temple.') 

Airo  pametha  loydor  ondis  abarka ! 

[Movements  and  murmurs  among  the  people."] 


A  TEAGEDY.  101 

A  MAN 

What  tongue  is  that? 

A   SECOND 

It  must  be  ancient  Greek, 
Or  Hebrew,  maybe,  as  Isaiah  spoke. 
The  sound  is  glorious. 

A   THIRD 

Never  did  I  hear 
Such    mighty    words.     Our    preacher    once    came 

down 

With  u  Armageddon,  Pandemonium,  Baal;" 
But  they  were  nought  to  hers. 

THE    FIRST. 

'Tis  prophecy! 
He  understands:    his  face  is  like  a  flame. 

LIVIA 
Orathmedon  adra,  bannorim  adra  slavo ! 


102  THE  PROPHET: 

DAVID 

(Rapidly  and  eagerly) 

It  shall  arise !     The  tempests  of  the  world 
Shall  not  prevail  against  it !     Every  stone 
Shall  testify!     From  its  completed  towers 
A  light  go  forth  till  darkened  Edom  sees ; 
And  here,  even  here,  where  our  Shechinah  stands, 
When  all  mankind  is  gathered  to  our  fold, 
Shall  angels  plant  the  ladder  of  the  Lord 
For  His  descending.     Be  ye  not  as  them 
That  craved  new  signs,  and  were  rebuked  of  Him  ! 
Who  feeleth  not  the  presence  of  the  power 
Above  us,  in  us,  moving  in  our  works, 
And  only  sparing  insomuch  as  saves 
From  easy  heart,  slack  will,  and  idle  hand, 
Let  him  go  forth ! 

CRIES    OF   THE    PEOPLE 

Nay,  nay,  we  will  abide! 


A  TBAGEDY.  103 

DAVID 

Forget  that  3-011  have  ever  lived  ere  now. 

As  strips  the  serpent  her  uneasy  skin, 

And  comes  forth  new  and  shining,  cast  ye  out 

Old  hopes  and  hates,  old  passions  and  desires. 

Be  as  a  fallow  field  that  waits  new  seed : 

Take  rain    and    sunshine  in   their  times ;    lie  bare 

To  the  invisible  influence  of  heaven ; 

And  be  assured  from  your  warm  breast  shall  spring 

The  hoty  harvest !     Ye  have  welcomed  me 

With  faithful  hearts  and  voices :  so,  henceforth 

No  more  as  one  that  in  the  wilderness 

Cries  to  the  stocks  and  stones,  shall  I  be  heard, 

But  as  a  father  'mid  his  children  teach, 

And  as  a  brother  'mid  his  brethren  love, 

And  as  one  chosen  lead  ye  all  to  share 

An  equal  power  and  glory. 

THE   PEOPLE 

Hail,  all  hail ! 


104  THE  PROPHET: 

NIMROD 

(Coming  forward.) 

Here  is  your  home :    by  her  on  whom  the  tongue 
Descended  at  your  bidding,  it  was  dressed. 
The  humble  house  is  like  a  bride  that  waits 
The  bridegroom's  coming :   enter,  and  be  blessed ! 
I,  and  my  brethren  of  the  Twelve,  have  charge 
That  all,  ere  nightfall,  shall  be  snugly  housed, 
New  brethren  mixed  with  old,  but  in  such  peace 
And  kindly  fellowship,  as,  until  now, 
Hath  not  been  witnessed,  to  the  world's  disgrace  ! 

THE   WOMEN 
(At  a  sign  from  LIVIA,  sing.) 

Make  haste,  Beloved  of  Zion! 

The  porch  and  the  chamber  shine: 
We  have  gathered  the  rnyrrh  and  rnanna, 

And  filled  the  flagons  with  wine: 
Now  comfort  the  souls  of  thy  daughters, 

As  the  Lord  shall  comfort  thine. 

[DAVID   waits,    standing   under    the    arch,    while    PETER 
assists  RHODA  to  alight  from  the  wagon.~\ 


A  TRAGEDY.  105 

PETER 

Well,  here's  the  end !      Our  Zion's  rather  bare, 
But  makes  a  good  beginning. 

RHODA 
(Giving  him  her  child.} 

Carry  him, 

But  hold  him  gently :   he  is  tired  and  scared. 
I,  too,  am  wearier  than  I  thought  to  be, 
And  hardly  happy  in  beholding  home 
Till  I  possess  it.      David,  come  with  me ! 

\Tliey  enter  the  house. 

SCENE  V. 

The    council-room.      Night.      NIMROD     KRAFT,    HUGH, 
JONAS,  SIMEON,  and  two  other  members  of  the  Twelve. 

NIMROD 

All    now    are    housed    and    sleeping :     first    their 
souls 


106  THE   PROPHET: 

Were  satisfied,  and  then  their  bodies  soothed. 
On    this    rock    must    we    build.        The    arch    of 

truth 

Requires  abutments  in  the  life  of  flesh: 
It  cannot  hang  in  air.      See,  therefore,  3-6, 
That  these  the  weak  foundations  of  our  state 
Be  firmer  settled.     Scourge  the  drones  away; 
Over  the  labor  needful  unto  each 
Be  labor  added  for  the  sake  of  all. 
Let  him  whose  lips  are  not  anoint  believe 
With  hand  and  sinew ! 


JONAS 

If  the  hand  should  .doubt  ? 
Equality  of  service  and  of  power 
Was  promised  them ;    and  many  bear  the  yoke 
As     they    that     seem     to     stoop,    and    mean    to 
spring. 


A  TRAGEDY.  107 

NIMROD 

Equality?       Yes,  were  there  equal  faith. 
Not  yet  dare  I  to  measure  mine  by  his, 
The  Prophet's,  since  the  token  lies  in  power. 
They  sleep  ;    we  watch   for   them :   why,  let   them 

watch, 
And  we  will  sleep. 

SIMEON 

Then  wolves  would  rend   the  fold. 
The  new  life  must  begin:    he  spake  the  word. 
It  will  be  hard;   but  we  submit  to  him, 
And  they  not  more  so,  in  obeying  us. 

JONAS 

How  far  will  he  concede?     The  government, 
Scarce  framed  as  yet,  will  he  alone  direct, 
Uncounselled,  or  be  led  to  side  with  them 
Who,  standing   nearest,  easier  prevail? 
Whence  comes 'decision,  when  opinions  clash? 


108  THE  PROPHET: 

NIMROD 
By  revelation. 

SIMEON 
May  it  come  at  need! 

HUGH. 

We,  the  apostles  of  the  wandering  church, 
Should  be,  of  right,  foundations  here. 

NIMROD 

He  takes, 

Lifts  up,  or  sets  aside.      You  know  my  work, 
If  it  be  good.      I  never  thought  to  say, 
"Reward  me!"  but  whatever  implement, — 
Scythe-blade,    or   sword,    or    knife    that    scullions 

use, — 
His  hand  has  need  of,  he  will  find  me  that! 


A  TRAGEDY.  109 

JONAS 

(Aside  to  HUGH.) 

When  one  is  sword  already,  sharpened  too, 
The  offer's  glibly  made. 

NIMROD 

I  say  but  this : 

It  was  my  providence  to  know  him  first, 
To  see  descending  on  him,  like  a  flame, 
The  Spirit :    near,  because  alone,  I  stood, 
But  am  less  near  than  he  wrho  more  believes. 
What  use  of  prying  words?     'Tis  signs  we  need, 
Accord  of  all.      The  temple- walls  complete 
With  roof  and  pinnacle,  the  shrine  set   up, 
Symbolic  vessels,  altar,  veil,  and  ark, 
New  psalms  of  praise,  and  joyf illness  of  hymns,  — 
All  this  made  visible.      Their  faith  is  firm  ; 
And  their  impatient  thoughts,  now  floating  loose 
In  every  wind,  will  settle,  and  have  rest. 

[Exit  HUGH,  JONAS,  and  others. 


THE  PROPHET: 
SIMEON 

You  touched  his  secret  sore,  —  I  name  no  names, — 

Kept  tender,  as  I  guess,  by  discontent 

Of  womankind.      You've  seen  the  kind  of  wife 

That  never  wholly  justifies  the  man, 

And,   when    he     follows,    straightway    shifts    her 

mind 

To  make  new  disagreement :    such  is  she. 
With  brethren  one  must  be  considerate, 
As    you    have    been ;    but    those    whom    now    he 

makes 

Apostles  should  not  wear  a  home-made  bit. 
That  I  am  widowed,  nigh  a  blessing  seems, 
Though  mine  respected  me. 

NIMROD 

The  words  I  spake 

Were  but  the  Prophet's  unpronouneed  desires. 
I  am  the  nearest  yet,  because  I  keep 


A  TRAGEDY.  Ill 

A  circle  round  him  clear  and  unprofaned, 

That  so  his  soul  be  tempered  to  receive 

Continual  revelations.     They  mistake 

Probation,  preparation,  for  the    end. 

But  that  which  draws  the  few  is  not  enough 

To  sow  infection  in  the  blood  of  all, 

And  overcome  the  world.     Much  more  awaits, 

And  grander :    are  you  as  the  fallow  earth  ? 

SIMEON 
Yea,  passive  as  a  field  the  sower  treads. 

NIMROD 

'Tis  well :    till  he  shall  order  otherwise, 
Be  led  by  me  !      Go,  now,  and  counterwork 
The  small  dissensions :   I  have   other  tasks. 
It  was  a  wondrous  sign  that  heralded 
The  Prophet's  coming :   keep  the  wonder  fresh 
In  all,  3ret  raise  not  wild  and  over-wrought 
Expectancy  of  more.     The  woman's  power 


112  THE   PROPHET: 

Renews  another  ancient  virtue  lost, — 
Zion  shall  have  its  prophetess  !      I  go 
To  give  my  homage,  and  to  arm  for  us 
A  Deborah,  —  a  chief tainess  of  the  faith. 

SCENE   VI. 

A  room  in  the  PROPHET'S  house.  RHODA  seated  near 
the  window,  sewing ;  the  baby  asleep  in  a  cradle  at  her 
feet ;  DAVID  at  a  desk,  looking  over  some  papers. 

DAVID 

The  man  must  have  commission  from  the  Lord, 
To  plan  such  perfect  s}*stem :    not  the  bees 
Get  wax  and  hone}*,  build  their  brittle  combs, 
And  organize  their  kingdom  of  the  hive, 
So  faultlessly.     My  loss  of  power  through  him 
Was  but  a  fancy  bred  of  weariness  ; 
For  what  he  asked  of  my  unwilling  soul 
Came,  half  a  marvel  to  nryself. 


A  TRAGEDY.  113 

RHODA 

I,  too, 
Have   thought   him  hard :   he  lacked  your  sweeter 

fire. 

Yet  surely  something  kindly  planned  this  home, 
Not  chance,  to  give  the  dear  familiar  rooms 
We  first  were  happy  in.     Young  trees  are  set, 
Like  children  of  the  old  ones  following  us, 
In  the  same  places,  by  the  southern  porch ; 
And  in  the  garden — foolishly  I  cried 
To  find  the  cushions  of  the  mountain-pink 
And  yellow-flags,  and  fragrant  southern- wood. 
Can  this  again  be  taken?     Will  there  come 
Aught  to  disturb  us? 

DAVID 

Nay,  it  cannot  be. 

We  build  too  surely :    we  are  set  alone 
In  a  new  land.      Why  should  the  Gentiles  mock 


114  THE   PROPHET: 

The  boasted  precedent  whereon  they  build, 
Their  right  of  conscience,  by  molesting  us? 

(Enter  PETER.) 

PETER 

The  town  is  ringing  with  the  miracle. 
Whether  'twas  Hebrew,  or  the  sort  of  tongue 
That  Adam  spoke,  they're  not  exactly  sure; 
But  'twas  a  prophec}T,  and  will  fulfil. 
Then,  since  it  seems  there's  here  and  there  a  man 
Talks  Dutch,  or  French,  or  maybe  Cherokee,  — 
They're  all  as  one  to  them  that  never  learned,  — 
She  understood  'em  !     'Twas  a  coming  down 
Of  tongues,  they  say,  just  like  what  happened  once 
Away  in  Mesopotamia. 

DAVID 

Given  at  need  ! 
By  this  I  know  the  woman's  lofty  faith, 


A  TRAGEDY.  115 

And  eminence  of  prayer.      Why,  save  myself, 
Not  one  hath  been  so  visited.      New  flames 
Circling  mine  own,  kindled  in  souls  like  hers, 
Will  help  fend  off  the  slow,  devouring  chill 
That  from  the  fiend  is  blown. 

RHODA 

I  thought  her  strange, 
Scarce  one  of  us,  so  grand  and  beautiful 
And  unabashed.     I  should  be  grateful,  though, 
She  drew  away  so  many  eyes  that  else 
Had  stared  in  wonder  I  should  be  your  wife. 

PETER 

They  say,  in  getting  up  the  welcome-home, 
And  such  pontificals,  she  steered  the  raft. 
Willing  or  not,  or  knowing  things  or  not, 
All,  somehow,  lent  a  hand :    she  had  a  way 
To  make  them  satisfied  with  what  they  did. 


116  THE   PROPHET: 

Talk  of  the  —  well,  it  nearly  slipped  that  time  — 

Of  her,  and  she  appears. 

[Exit, 

RHODA 

(Aside.) 

I  cannot  stir, 

Lest  baby  wake  ;    and  sure  my  place  is  here  ; 
Yet  would  that  she  were  come  and  gone  again ! 

[LiviA  enters :  she  is  simply  but  elegantly  dressed  in  a  black 
silk  robe,  and  ivears  a  white  veil  upon  her 

DAVID 

(Taking  her  hand.) 

Be  welcome,  sister !     If  I  thank  you  less 
For  honor  paid  than  for  unstinted  faith, 
I  most  am  grateful. 

LIVIA 

What  I  fain  had  said 
Falls  back  upon  my  heart  as  hollow  sound. 


A  TRAGEDY.  117 

Your    soul    hath    read,    and,    reading,    spares   me 

words 

That  only  stammer  when  my  own  would  sing. 
The  marvellous  light  that  entered  me  from  you 
I  cannot  fathom,  nay,  nor  merit  it, 
Except  in  yielding,  in  receiving  all, 
As  woman  may,  in  whom  the  sense  is  quick 
To  conquer  reason  which  resists  in  man. 
I  was  a  harp-string,  mute  until  you  touched: 
If  to  your  ear  the  sound  be  melody, 
Strike  out  of  me  the  strong,  full-handed  chords 
To  your  exaltment. 

DAVID 
(Aside,  as  LIVIA  goes  forward  to  RnoDA.) 

When  was  ever  such? 
The  clear-eyed  spirit,  so  superbly  housed, 
The  power  that  bends  in  soft  subservience, 
The  gift  that  beams  on  all  except  herself, — 


118  THE  PKOPHET  : 

Yea,  she  is  chosen.      Yea,  from  out  her  eyes, 
And   from   her   hands,    and  breathing   forth   from 

her, 
Is  promise. 

LIVIA 

(To  RHODA.) 

You,  whose  blessed  place  it  is 
To  touch  and  warm  the  Prophet's  weary  hands, 
And,  after  shining  visions,  to  restore 
The  virtue  of  his  dazzled  eyes,  be  kind, 
I  pray,  and  friendly!     I  would  have  your  love, 
His  confidence.      My  life  was  not  as  yours, 
Ah,  me !    as  simply  innocent  and  pure  ; 
And  yet,  methinks,  for  them  that  meet  in  truth, 
There's  but  a  single  gateway  to  the  heart. 

RHODA 

(Slowly.) 

I  think  I  never  hated  such  as  seemed 


A  TRAGEDY.  119 

Unfriendly:    if  I  fail  to  love,  when  love 
Invites  me  first,  I  were  not  worthy  it. 

LIVIA 

(Turning  to  DAVID.) 

My  lines  of  life,  as  they  draw  near  to  you, 
Lie  clearly  traced;   yet,  as  they  backward  tend, 
Lead  to  confusions  which,  ere  knowing  them, 
Your  pardon  touched.      The  spoiled   child   of  the 

world 

Was  I  until  I  saw  you  ;    born  in  wealth, 
And  cradled  'mid  the  shows  and  vanities 
Religion  covers  with  a  modish  cloak. 
Pride  to  the  right,  to  left  stood  Piety : 
Each  took  a  hand,  and  grimly  led  my  life 
Along  the  pavement  trod  by  feet  of  all. 
When  I  would  wander  free,  as  whoso  feels 
Some  independent  right  of  soul,  gave  Pride 
A  downright  blow  that  stung ;   but  Piety 


120  THE   PROPHET  : 

Pinched  me  in  secret,  while  her  leaky  eyes 
Wept  rivers,  and  her  whining  voice  bewailed. 
Then  I  submitted,  lived  a  ceaseless  lie, 
Till  death  and  changes  had  delivered  me 
From  all  but  wealth.     But,  ah !    my  fettered  limbs 
AYere  dwarfed  and  shrunken :    I  wTas  free  to  move, 
When  motion  was  but  pain.     I  saw  the  world  • 
As  one  beholds  a  casket,  and  the  key 
Thereof  is  lost.      I  stood  outside  of  life, 
Helpless  to  reach  existence  I  desired, 
Disgusted  with  existence  which  I  knew, 
Until  you  said,  or  through  your  soul  I  heard, 
"  Daughter,  arise  !  "  and  I  arose  and  came. 

DAVID 
Not  I,  but  what  in  me  was  manifest. 

* 

LIVIA 

It  is  the  same.      By  you  alone  I  heard, 
Through  you  am  satisfied.     I  hardly  knew 


A  TRAGEDY.  121 

What  gift  to  claim,  till  something  iu  your  face 
Gave  me  the  words.     But  now,  farewell !      I  go 
To  cheer,  perchance  to  help,  the  others. 

[Exit. 

DAVID 

Go! 

Delivered,  thou,  and  crowned !      A  woman's  hand 
I  had  forgotten :   yet  it  saved  of  old, 
And  here  may  build,  as  well. 

KHODA 

Your  lamp  is  lit 
You  know  whereat ;    and  theirs  are  lit  from  yours. 

DAVID 

Fire  hath  one  being:    'tis  the  life  that  makes 
Obscure  or  luminous  ;    and  hers,  suppressed 
By  darkening  hands,  breaks  out  in  splendid  blaze. 
She  waited  for  me :   I  have  bid  her  shine. 


ACT    III. 

SCENE  I. 

A  room  in  the  PROPHET'S  house.  DAVID,  NIMROD,  and 
LIVIA  seated  at  a  table  upon  which  lie  papers  and  plans. 
RHODA  at  the  window  looking  upon  the  garden,  with  some 
needlework  in  her  hand. 

NIMROD 

IT  means  not  failure.     Still  our  armor  shines, 
Our   weapons   cleave ;    but   they   whose   power  we 

shake, 

The  lazy  priesthood  of   neglected  law, 
Have  clothed  themselves  with  cunning,  to  evade 
Direct  assault :    so  on  their  flanks  exposed 
Must  we  surprise  them. 
122 


A  TRAGEDY.  123 

DAVID 

Yet  I  would  not  haste. 
Even  after  goodly  battle,  here  we  sit 
Not   quite  secure  ;   for  jealous}7  of   some, 
Unreasoning  hopes  that  in  denial  end, 
And  selfish  fretting  o'er  each  needful  curb, 
Still  task  our  wisdom :    hardly  can  we  spare 
The  fine,   selected  strength  your  purpose  claims. 

NIMROD 

There  is  no  virtue  but  fatigues  itself. 

A  sudden  truth  uplifts  with  violence 

The  prostrate  human  soul ;   but  once  exhaust 

The  first  impulsion,   see  how  weak  it  stands  ! 

So  there's  a  crisis  this  side  of   success 

In  highest  things  :    our  lot,  this  hour,  is  weighed 

With  that  of   all  neglected,  powerless  tribes, 

That  h.ive  no  life  but  in  the  founder's  name. 

If  here  we  pause,  we  may  become  as  they ; 


124  THE  PROPHET: 

But  if,  accepting  every  sign  of  power 

As  loan,  or  test,  until  another  come, 

\Ve  lime  new  branches,  and  extend  our  nets 

To  snare  men's  fluttering  souls,   we  shall  possess, 

In  time,   the  world. 

LIVIA 

Surely  no  less  will  }TOU, 
Our  prophet ;  and  no  atom  less  will  we. 
That  few  are  gathered  now,   and  halting  minds 
Grow  restless,  casts  no  shadow  on  the  truth ; 
For  souls  are  verily  but  as  frightened  birds 
That  beat  themselves  against  the  pane,  and  shun 
The  hand  that  catches  them  to  set  them  free. 

NIMROD 

Well  spoken !     Nothing  more  have  I  proposed. 

DAVID 

I  hoped  direct,  immediate  influence  — 

The  power  that  kindles,  burns,   and  purifies  — 


A  TRAGEDY.  125 

Might  be  all-potent:    yet,  if  men  avoid 
The  touch  of  healing,  must  be  first  constrained, 
Till  health  and  gratitude  together  work 
To  bring  them  here,  I  cannot  but  receive. 

NIMROD 

Then,  if  they  come,  why  question  how  they  come? 

The  life  delivered  never  faulty  finds 

The  manner  of   deliverance.     I,   once, 

When  caught   by  drowning  arms  that  would  have 

drowned 

Me  also,  dealt  a  powerful  blow  that  stunned 
And  saved  the  man. 

LIVIA 

Deal  out  your  blows  to  men, 
And  welcome!     Women  claim  a  gentler  touch. 
How  many  are  there,  discontented  hearts 
That  pine  and  wither,   seeking  sympathy 


126  THE   PROPHET: 

Their  sex  denies,   and  yours  in  half-contempt 
Neglects  to  give !     For  virile  souls  are  coarse 
And  awkward,  being  selfish :  the  plain  way 
To  woman's  fast  dependence   (which  she  thinks 
Dependence  on  her)  you  would  seek  in  vain, 
Unless  an  Ariadne  gave  the  clew. 

• 

NIMROD 

Who,  then,  was  she?     A  Gentile  woman,  sure, 
Whom  Paul  converted. 

LIVIA 

'Tis  enough  that  she 
Was  woman,  and  enough  that  also  I 
Am  woman.     Once  I  dwelt  in  Rome,  it  chanced ; 
And  thither  came  a  spinster  whom  I  knew, 
Free  of  the  world,  indifferent  to  love, 
Secure  and  calm  in  high  intelligence, 
Armed  at  all  points  ;    yet  soon  the  Church  espied 
Beneath  cold  breasts  the  vulnerable  sense. 


A  TRAGEDY.  127 

The  haughty  priests,  whose  passionless,  thin  lips 
So  rarely,  but  with  dangerous  sweetness,  smile, 
The  dreamy  youths,  the  rosy  acolytes, 
Sang  to  her,  gave  their  faith  the  form  of  love, 
Till  with  new  passion,  as  in  budding  years, 
Her  woman's  heart,  sore  with  long  abstinence, 
Sent  up  narcotic  heats  that  drugged  the  brain, 
And  she  was  theirs.     As  easily  were  she  ours ! 
There  is  no  woman  lives  but  in  her  soul 
Demands  a  bridegroom ;    failing  one  of  flesh, 
Then  one  of  spirit.      Learn  to  promise  this 
In  secret,  visitations,  nrystic  signs, 
-Make  truth  seem  love,  and  knowledge  ecstasy, 
And  you  will  lead  our  sex. 

RHODA 

(Rising  hastily.} 

Who,  then,  are  you? 
What  mother  nursed  you  on  such  milk  as  this? 


128  THE   PROPHET: 

I  have  but  scanty  words  ;  but  in  my  heart 
The  woman,  from  her  simple  whiteness  torn, 
And  dipped  in  scarlet,  cries,  "Not  thus  are  we! 
Not  thus  the  loneliness  of  maiden  life, 
The  lingering  sorrow  of  frustrated  love, 
And  pure  regret,  and  tender  hope  outlived, 
Seek  compensation."     Less  than  moveth  man 
Gives  woman  peace.      The  aged,  innocent  lives 
Of  childless  widows  and  unwedded  maids 
Softly  enclose  us,  young,   and  keep  from  harm. 
Denied  their  own,  they  guard  another's  brood, 
So  gathering  bliss.      But  of  what  kind  are  those 
Who  find  no  truth,  save  men,  forbid  to  wed, 
Or  wived  already,  offer  it  as  love? 

LIVIA 

Your  innocence  takes  false  alarm :    the  old, 
The  gentle,  fixed  in  narrow  circumstance, 
Good  by  tradition  and  temptation's  lack, 


A  TRAGEDY.  129 

Resist  us  most.     Who  was  it  came  to  call 
Not  righteous  men,  but  sinners?      Virtue  lifts 
A  front  the  braver  after  knowledge  comes ; 
But  is  not  knowledge  first?     I  spake  of  that 
Whereof  your  ignorance  is  no  reproach : 
The  blessedness  of  life  descends  on  you, 
But  not  on  them  you  blame. 

DAVID 

Reject  not  such ! 

'Twas  so  commanded :   them  the  Devil  traps 
It  may  be  lawful  that  we  snare  in  turn. 
We  fight  the  Fiend,   my  wife :    our  triumph  here 
Hath  pricked  him  out  of   ancient  confidence. 

NIMROD 

The  power  is  given :  the  secret  of  its  use 
Is  left  to  us.  The  first  light  dazzles  men  ; 
And  some  reach  forth,  and  grasp  the  guiding  hand  ; 


130  THE  PROPHET: 

Then  others  say,  with  pupils  narrowed  in, 
"There  is  no  need:    we  see  but  as  we  saw." 
Here,   husbanding  the  busy  strength  of   all, 
And  wasting   nought,  the  comforts  we   can  spare 
Invite   a  double  number :   let  them   come  ! 
And  if,    through  weakness  captured,   they  receive 
The  gift  of  power ;   through  greed,  unselfishness ; 
Through  vain  delusions,  knowledge  of  the  truth,  — 
What  fool  will  cast  away  the  tested  gold 
He  gets,  for  promised  copper? 

LIVIA 

Strange  that  men 

Who  most  do  suffer  must  be  driven  to  good ! 
They  are  as  children  bribed  to  take  the  draught 
That   saves,  even   though   the    prophet's    honeyed 

wine. 

Lo !    now  the  temple's  gilded  pinnacles 
The  impatient  sun  hath  kissed:    across  the  land 


A  TRAGEDY.  131 

They  sharply  shine  like  arrows  drawn  to  head, 
And     heavenward     aimed.       The     signs     portend 

increase. 

Shall  we  alone  be  lean,  while  others  burst 
With  useless  fatness? 

DAVID 

Call  our  messengers 

To  learn  a  new  commandment !      We  must  stay 
Their  sinking  hands,  fill  up  their  flickering  lamps, 
And    sting    their   souls    with    courage  which    o'er- 

comes, 

Since  it  foresees.      One  weapon  given  to  all 
Were  scarcely  wisdom :   lend  the  shorter  arm 
A  longer  blade,  the  less-enduring  force 
Advantage  of  the  ground.     While  they  exist, 
The  Gentile  churches,  must  wTe  spread  or  cease. 
I  meant  not  idleness ;   but,  if  so  seems 
This  pause  of  preparation,  let  us  work 


132  THE   PROPHET: 

Amid  the  noises  of  the  ringing  steel, 

Heat  with  quick  hammer-blows  where  fire  may  fail, 

And  only  rest  when  faint  with  victory. 

SCENE   II. 

The  council-room.  DAVID  seated  in  an  arm-chair  at  the 
head  of  a  long  table ;  NIMROD  at  the  foot ;  on  each  side, 
six  members  of  the  COUNCIL  OF  TWELVE. 

DAVID 

Not  every  leaf  an  equal  bounty  finds 

Of  sap  or  sun ;   yet  rooted  is  our  State 

To  growr,  and  not  to  wither.      We  must  sweep 

The  troubled  waters  of  the  world,  henceforth, 

In  wider  circles,  luring  to  our  ark 

Them,  chiefly,  for  the  covenant  who  yearn, 

And  would  behold,  distinct  as  graven  words, 

The  signs  thereof  in  us.      If   any  here, 

In  view  of  such  advantage,  hath  inquired, 


A  TRAGEDY.  133 

And  finds  a  partial  answer  in  his  soul, 
Let  him  be  heard ! 

NIMROD 

Some  brethren,  with  myself 
(For  scattered  duties  scarce  allow,  as  yet, 
Full  conference),  have  found  accordant  minds. 
We,  least  of  all  fore-grasping  power  reserved, 
Put  forth  projecting  lines  of  present  power 
To  their  conclusions  in  the  future,  reach 
This  argument :     We  dare  not  mutilate 
Our  restoration  of  neglected  faith 
By  preaching  only :    it  must  live  in  us 
Until  the  ancient  days  and  ways  He  loved 
Shall  draw  Him  near,  —  not  simply  where  the  soul 
Trims  her  small  chamber,  or  prophetic  lips 
Burn  from  His  fier3T  touch ;    but  call  Him  down, 
To  make  His  very  self  endurable 
To  human  sense.      A  trance,  mistook  for  death, 


134  THE   PROPHET  : 

Thaws  from  the  blood  with  struggle  and  with  pang-, 
And  still  we  feebly  move  the   torpid  limbs, 
See  through  a  veil,  and  hear  but  muffled  sounds : 
So  you,  whose  hand  upon  us  broke  the  spell, 
Give,  pulse  by  pulse,  the  life  revealed  to  }~ou, 
As  we  take  strength  to  bear  it. 

JONAS 

Not  to  me 

Was  this  imparted,  nor  to  some  I  know. 
There  may  be  times  demanding  cloudy  speech ; 
But  clearer  now  were  welcomer.     What  pulse 
Shall  first  be  felt?      The  prophet  called  on  us, 
I  thought ;   and  you  direct  us  back  to  him. 

SIMEON 

Without  conferring,  unprepared  as  you, 
Yet  do  I  comprehend.     The  cloud  may  be 
Inside  of  eyes  that  blame  the  sky  for  it. 


A  TRAGEDY.  135 

NIMROD 

Nay,  Simeon !      He  who  speaks  in  images 

Oft  sees  the  image  taken  for  the  thing. 

Hear,  all !      We  mean  to  purchase  power  disused, 

But  never  abrogated :    on  what  rock, 

If  not  on  this,  have  we  been  building  here? 

And  he  who  welds  again  the  broken  link 

Between  the  Lord  and  man,  who  summon  us 

To  twofold  lives  that  speak  our  waxing  faith,  — 

Ah !  once  let  morning  rise,  men  soon  forget 

Their  hours  of  darkness,  —  he  awaits  that  we 

Obe}T  his  messages  in  soul  and  flesh. 

f 

HUGH 

Then  what  is  past  is  sealed,  our  work  approved 
And  fresh  apportioned? 

DAVID 

Is  not  all  one  piece,  — 
Past,  present,  future,  —  as  a  youth  in  whom 


136  THE   PROPHET: 

The  child  expands,  the  man  is  possible? 
This  restless  ferment  in  the  general  mind 
Must  not  infect  my  own :    the  charge  ye  bear 
I  gave,   indeed ;  but,  save  by  constant  guard 
And  forceful  lifting  of  the  soul,   I  keep 
The  separate  gift,  then  were  ye  lost  with  me. 
What  I  anticipate  I  dare  not  speak, 
Until  commanded.     Voices  heard  from  far, 
And    shadows    thrown,    are    stammering   messen 
gers  ; 

But  when  His  will,  in  language  and  in  form, 
Arrives,  the  time  of   conference  is  past. 
Speak,   now,   and  freely :   therefore  I  withdraw. 

[Exit. 

* 

HUGH 

His  words  hold  promise :    he  was  highly  moved. 

Yet,  if  the  revelation  must  forbid 

All  further  question,  why  confer  we  now? 


A  TRAGEDY.  137 

MOEDECAI 

In  holy  discipline.     We,   too,  have  felt 
The  breathing  of  the   Spirit ;    and  our  souls 
Point,  like  the  smallest  flame,  the  way  it  draws  : 
So,   after  him  if  now  our  light  be  cast, 
We  lead  the  others. 

NIMROD 

Yea :    what  I  declared 
Was  but  direction,  not  a  single  path. 
Who  our  accomplished  work  in  truth  accepts 
Will  halt  not  here;   but,  bending  yearning  eyes 
Upon  their  lives,  who  owned  the  heritage 
From  Dan  and  Hermon  unto  Hebron's  oaks, 
Will  scan  each  custom,  pleasant  to  the  Lord, 
And  choose  what  fails   us  most.      Let,  therefore, 

each 

Go  back  in  spirit,  serve  in  Jacob's  stead ; 
Behold  the  sons  of  Aaron  with  strange  fire 


138  THE   PROPHET: 

Consumed,  and  stoned  the  son  of   Shelomith ; 
Tarry  with  Judah  where  the  way  goes  up 
To  Timnath  ;   find  his  feet,  like  Boaz,   warm 
From  her  who  stole  beneath  the  garment's   skirt ; 
Or,   set  in  fruitful  households,   chant  the  psalms 
Of  shepherd-kings,  and  Solomon's  high  song. 
All  He  allowed  —  nay,  so  encouraged,  then, 
He  turned  aside,  and  in  the  heat  of  day 
Did  visit  His  elected — must  be  ours, 
Ere    we,    with    hands    and    meats    no    more    un 
clean, 
Dare  dress   the   board    for   Him.      What   first  to 

choose 

Of   new  adornment  for  the  mighty  Guest 
Is  now  our  task. 

JONAS 

You  had  not  said  so  much, 
Save  you  had  chosen.     Let    us  know  your  choice. 


A  TRAGEDY.  139 

MOUDECAI. 

While  we  aspire,  it  seems  you'd  fain  provoke 
Dissension:    rather  to  the  records  turn, 
Dead  histories  so  long,  but  now  brought  near 
For  pure  example. 

SIMEON 

Why,  what  words  are  his? 
From  our  beginning  we  have  trod  one  track  — 

NIMROD 

(Interrupting.}    . 

Which  leads  straight  forward,  over  cowardice, 
And  half-belief,  and  forms  of  later  law 
God  never  gave.     What  says  the  foolish  world? 
That    place     and    time     and     circumstance     have 

changed : 

Still  those  were  holy  men.     But  what  they  did 
Makes  us  unholy.     Oh!  He  loved  them  well, 


140  THE   PROPHET: 

Stepped    down    from    heaven    upon    their    herded 

hills, 

Talked  face  to  face.     So  much  priests  bid  us  take, 
Then  —  there  they  halt;  and  all  emasculate  law 
They  teach,  casts  dirt  on  Israel  of  old. 
Of  kings,  or  prophets,  or  apostles,  none 
Forbids  our  following :    every  sign  bestowed 
On  our  new  eyes  says,  Conquer  all  by  all! 

• 

SIMEON 

(Aside   to  Hugh.) 
He  waxes  mighty. 

NIMROD 

'Tis  enough^  to-day ! 

The  Prophet's  words  give  guidance  to  our  thoughts. 
Let  each  into  the  closet  of  his  soul 
Retire  a  space,  and  there,  alone,  select 
Not  what  the  weakening  leaven  of  the  past, 
And  unabolished  habit  of  the  heart, 


A  TRAGEDY.  141 

Stir  up  within  us  ;   but  the  thing  he  finds 
Chiefest  in  ancient  lives,  and  lacking  here. 
It  may  be  we  shall  wander  different  ways ; 
But  all  lead  forward,  and  will  surely  join. 

SCENE  III. 

A  garden  in  the  rear  of  the   PROPHET'S    house.      PETER 
digging  a  led. 

PETER 

(Pausing  in  his  work.) 

I  hardly  ought  to  say  it;   but  you  can't 
Turn  one  thing  into  t'other.     Leastways,  some 
Have  only  changed  their  devils,  not  cast  out, 
And,  with  the  pick  and  choice  of  gifts  they  had, 
Are  none  the  wiser.      There  my  old  horse-sense 
Said,  just  as  plain,  "See  whether  you  can  use;" 
And,  if  I'd  opened  mouth,  and  shut  my  eyes, 
The  Lord  knows  whether  any  thing  had  dropped. 


142  THE  PROPHET: 

I  can't  make  out :   there's  going  back  and  forth, 
Like  candidates  before  election-time, 
When,  with  a  little  sleight-of-hand,  a  man 
May  sell  two  votes.      Here  mine  will  hardly  count. 
Our  David's  always  safe,  and  Brother  Kraft, 
And  Sister  Livia,  —  each  a  regiment. 
She  looked  at  me  in  such  an  asking  way, 
This  morning  !  what  the  —  Zion  —  could  she  want  ? 
Maybe,  the  temple  —  more  pontificals: 
Whichever  way  you  turn,  when  sundown  comes, 
It's  temple,  temple,  temple !      I  was  glad 
On  their  account ;    but,  now  it's  finished  up, 
Both  him  and  her  go  sideling  round  the  house, 
As  if  forever  hunting  something  lost. 

[Sings.] 

Oh!  I've  a  hundred  acres  of  land, 

And  a  house  to  cover  your  head; 
And  in  the  spring,  when  the  dovey-doveys  sing, 

They  say  it's  the  time  to  wed. 


A  TRAGEDY.  143 

Oh!  I've  an  eye  tliat  is  blue  and  shy, 

And  a  mouth  that  is  red,  says  she, 
And  a  heart  at  rest  in  my  lily,  lily  breast; 

And  why  should  I  wed  with  thee? 

Oh!  take  your  choice  when  the  days  are  long, 

And  be  sure  you  never  will  rue. 
When  I'm  safe  from  storm,  and  it's  bonny,  bonny  warm, 

Say,  what  will  become  of  you? 

Oh!  I'll  comb  and  curl  your  bright  brown  hair, 

On  a  Sunday  morning  gay; 
For  a  maid,  I  guess,  "when  she  means  yes,  yes, 

Begins  with  a  nay,  nay,  nay! 

NIMROD 
(Entering.') 

When  birds  sing  that  way,  it  is  time  to  build, 
Good-morrow,   Peter ! 

PETER 

And  good-day,  high  priest ! 
[Aside.] 
I  have  a  vote,  it  seems. 


144  THE   PROPHET: 

NIMROD 

Your  plants  are  trim 

And  forward :    that  shows  liking  for  the  place. 
The  Prophet  told  me,  as  an  orphan  boy 
You  came  to  him. 

PETER 

Ay,  'twas  my  only  home. 

NIMROD 

Your  silent  faith  counts  more  than  that  of  some 
Who  make  a  loud  profession.      Modestly 
You  choose  no  gift ;  but  you  may  highly  serve 
The  Church,  by  being  fully  what  you  are. 

PETER 
Preambles  don't  get  through  my  head. 

NIMROD 

Find,  then, 
A  mate,  and  add  a  dozen  to  our  flock. 


A  TRAGEDY.  145 

PETER 

Oho!     That's  good  advice.      But  here's  my  fix: 
I  stand  half-way  'twixt  Jane  and  Mary  Ann 
(We'll    say),  both    willing.      Now,  to  choose    for 

good, 

When,  either  took,  you  might  find  afterwards 
The  t'other  was  the  better,  —  there  I  stick ! 
I'd  let  our  Ehoda  pick  for  me  ;   but  then, 
She  don't  know  both. 

NIMBOD 
(Lowering  Ids  voice.} 

If  both  were  given   to  you, 
As  in  the  days  of  old? 

PETER 
(Dropping  his  spade.} 

That's  something  new : 

You  mean  it? 

10 


146  THE  PROPHET: 

i 

NIMROD 

What  has  been  may  be  again. 

PET  Eli 

Well,  each  is  pleasant  while  she  holds  the  chance, 
And  would  outbid  the  t'other:    make  it  law 
For  all  of  us,  the  double  check  would  last, 
And  they'd  pull  square,   I  guess. 

NIMROD 

What  thus  relieves 

Your  own  dilemma  offers  general  peace. 
But  guard  your  tongue:   I've   no   authority 
To  promise  this,  or  even  so  much  as  hint. 
You've  read  your  Bible :    what  the  Lord  himself 
Established  for  the  fathers  of   the  world 
Is  justified  to  us. 

PETER 

And  yet  it's  queer 
To  live  like  folks  a  million  years  ago. 


A  TRAGEDY.  147 

NIMROD 

Ay,  there  you  hit  it !     But  the  Prophet's  power 
Was  lost  as  long.     The  hearts  of  men,  you've  seen, 
Are  like  their  stomachs,  used  to  this  or  that, 
Shy  of   the  best  of   food  of   other  kind, 
And  some  half    starve  before  they  taste  of   it. 
Here  you  can  aid :    I  need  not  tell  you  more : 
There's  ways  of  finding  how  a  man  inclines, 
Without  declaring  much. 

PETER 

I  understand. 

NIMROD 

The  Prophet's  soul  is  wrestling  with  his  task. 
Guard  him  from  useless  trouble,   keep  him  free 
From  small  disturbances  !     Tis  much  for  you 
To  be  a  faithful  watchman   at  his  gates. 

[Exit. 


148  THE  PROPHET: 

PETER 

(After  a  prolonged  whistle.') 
It's  half   a  pity  such  a  man  as   that 
Is  out  of   Congress !     When  he  means  a  thing, 
It's  safe  to  bet  the  thing  will  happen  soon. 
So  that's  the  secret ;  and  they're  flustered  both, 
Misdoubting,  doubtless,  how  the  folks  will  take  ! 
I'm  mighty  'cute,  when  I  lay  out  to  be, 
And  here's  good  reason.     Oh,  I'll  bait  my  hooks, 
And  jerk  men's  thoughts  out,  fast  as  hungry  pike  ! 
I'll  go  ahead  where  David  wants  to  walk, 
And  cut  a  swath,  then  Jane  and  Mary  Ann. 

SCENE   IV. 

The  Council-Room.      NIMROD  KRAFT  and   the    TWELVE 

assembled. 

NIMROD 

Nine  out  of  twelve  —  thereto  my  voice  the  tenth  — 
Give  clearest  title :    there's  no  room  for  doubt 


A  TRAGEDY.  149 

(Which,    as  we    stand,    means   nothing   else  than 

fear)  ; 

For  each,  in  silent  seeking,  urged  by  none, 
By  none  persuaded,  found  the  truth.     We  meet  — 
Against  all  secret  understanding  guard  — 
Declare  in  writing:    speaks  the  Lord,  or  not? 
Who  else  hath  made  so  many  of  one  mind? 
And  if  the  Prophet's  light  indeed  be  ours, 
Shed  on  the  law  he  means  to  give  us  next, 
'Tis  as  a  chosen  field  should  plough  itself, 
So  eager  for  the  seed ! 

SIMEON 

Who  are  the  three? 

HUGH 
The  question  tells  where  you  belong,  at  least. 

NIMROD 

They  know ;    so  shall  the  Prophet ;   'tis  enough ! 
The  temple's  dedication,  now  at  hand, 


150  THE  PROPHET: 

Demands  relaying  of  a  basis  built 
Of  what  came  nearest.     Thin  and  crumbling  stones 
Must  be  removed,  and  those  of  solid  grain 
Replace  them ;    'twas  intended  from  the  first. 

JONAS 

I  make  no  secret  of  dissent.     Your  words 
Imply  a  threat :    so  speak  it  honestly ! 

NIMROD 

Dissent  may  live,  while  disobedience  dies. 
I  did  not  threaten :    it  may  be  myself 
Shall  be  rejected  first.      If  you  require 
The  human  logic  of  the  call  divine, 
To  settle  new  misgivings,  none  will  blame, 
So,  afterwards,  acceptance  follows. 

MORDECAI 

Lord, 
Enlighten  them  that  wander  in  the  dark! 


A  TRAGEDY.  151 

SIMEON 

So  near  accordance,  let  us  cease  to  strive  ! 
The  law  we  pray  for  gives  new  power  to  man, 
Takes  old  reproach  from  woman,  multiplies 
Inheritors  of  truth,  as  born  therein, 
And  heals  perversions  that  distress  the  world. 
Oh,  may  it  come ! 

JONAS 

Yes  ;    come  to  tear  down  homes, 
And  leave  us  tents  instead,  pitched  wide  apart ! 

NIMROD 

Even  so  the}T  dwelt ;    for  Zion  was  their  home ; 
And  thereunto  they  gave  what  you.  deny, 
The  riches  of  their  loins.      Make  end  of  talk : 
The  Prophet  waits.      Go,  Simeon,  bid  him  here ! 

[Exit  SIMEON.     Immediately  afterwards  DAVID  enters, 
and  takes  his  seat  at  the  head  of  tfie  tabled] 


152  THE   PPtOPHET  : 


DAVID 


If  I  foresaw  the  form  of- your  desire, 

I  left  you,  none  the  less,  uninfluenced  prayer, 

And  ample  freedom.      Whither  tend  your  minds? 

NIMROD 

One  here  impeaches  my  sincerity : 
Let  Mordecai  declare ! 

MOEDECAI 

We  ten  are  one. 

Three  choose  another  sign,  or  ours  distrust. 
We  would  restore  that  patriarchal  home 
The  Lord  preferred,  —  its  fair,  obedient  wives, 
Its  heritage  of  children  ;    as  He  gave, 
So  giving  now,  that  none  be  left  alone 
Or  fruitless :    thus  the  chasms  of  Gentile  life 
Wherein  they  fall,  or  pine  on  either  side, 
Shall  all  be  closed  in  us. 


A  TRAGEDY.  153 

DAVID 

« 

This  makes  a  chasm 
Impassable  between  us  and  the  world. 
Have  you  considered? 

SIMEON 

They  that  follow  you 
Already  crossed,  and  hurled  the  bridges  down. 

NIMROD 

Such  test  were  all  too  eas}T.     In  our  hearts, 
By  long  transmission  of   the  narrower  love 
Made  shrunken,  is  the  field  of   sacrifice. 
Who  offers  there,   in  cheerful  company 
With  her  who  for  her  sisters'  sake  submits, 
And  for  the  Lord's  high  pleasure,  hath  prevailed, 
Forgets  that  he  has  ever  lived  ere  now 
(Thus  you  commanded),  and  is  surety  blessed, 
Save  bankrupt  be  the  treasury  of   Heaven. 


154  THE  PROPHET  : 

DAVID 

Oh  !   send  us,   Lord,   Thy  keenest  tongues   of   fire 
To  burn  out  reason,   greed,    and  appetite, 
And  leave   clear  gold,  the  knowledge  of  Thy  will. 
There's  truth  in  jour  concurrence ;    there  is  faith 
That  loves   a  trial ;    yea,   so  much   as  this 
Lies,   as  a  tree,   within  our  planted  seed. 
But  —  in  His  own  good  time  !     What  I  declare  — 
Believe  me,  brethren  !  —  comes  through  sore  travail 
Of  mind  and  spirit :    I   am  set   as   one 
Beneath  deep  waves,  who,   looking  for  the  da}', 
Sees  watery  lights,    and  ever-shifting  gleams, 
Till,  in  a  calm  betwixt  the  billowy  tides, 
The   sun  a  moment  pierces.      Press  not  close : 
The  purest  counsel  ma}*  confuse  us  here. 
Look  ye,   how  man}'  hearts   are  frozen  yet, 
Which,  until  thawed,  must  be  withheld  from  fire ! 
But  if--   Nay,  this  is   all.      I   charge  3*011,   wait! 
On  mine  own  soul  I  take  the  stress  of  yours, 


A  TRAGEDY.  155 

To  climb  therewith :    a  finger  stretched  to  help 
May  shake  the  balance:  stand  aside,  and  wait! 

SCENE   V. 
A  room  in  the  PROPHET'S  house. 

DAVID 

(Walking  up  and  down.') 
I  felt  it  come  :    within  me  and  without 
The    signs    agreed.       One   influence  said,    "Post 
pone  ! " 

But  something  else  —  what  was,  what  is  it?  —  cries, 
' '  No  cowardice  !    the  leaven  of  the  world 
Works  in  thy  nature."     Yet  the  inner  sense,  — 
So  pure  it  seems,  even  set  against  His  light, 
So  simply  strong,  where  old,  insidious  lust 
May  otherwise  find  entrance, — yea,  it  makes 
Me  coward !     Here  might  woman  offer  help, 
Had  she  but  reached  that  statelier  modesty 


156  THE  PROPHET: 

Which  takes  all  mysteries  of  love  and  life 
As  God's  enactments. 

RHODA 

(Entering.') 

You  have  walked  so  long! 

Your  face  is  vexed  with  thought.      What  is  it  fills 
The  very  air?     I  have  forborne  to  ask,    - 
Knowing  the  burden  of  the  fate  of  all 
Weighing  upon  you ;   yet,  if  those  are  right 
Who  counsel  most,  so  soon  to  be  relieved. 

DAVID 

It  is  not  that,  or  only  in  such  wise 

As  manifest  direction   of  the  past 

And  present  blessing  may  increase  the  load. 

For  triumph  makes  afraid :    it  stings  and  stirs 

All  sleeping   evil  to  a  new  assault ; 

Yet  flatters  so  the  self-exalted  soul, 


A  TRAGEDY.  157 

That  what  descended  seems  to  dwell  within. 
They  hope  a  further  message,   and  with  right: 
The  time  is  ripe;    but  whether  purified 
As  who  accepts  a  truth  re-making  life, 
Or  half  with  us,  and  half,  unconsciously, 
Swayed  by  an  ancient  conscience  — 

[He  pauses. 

RHODA. 

Dare  the  truth, 

As  first  }'ou  dared.     I  know  no  other  law 
Than  I  have  learned  of  you. 

DAVID 

There  spoke  my  wife ! 
Yea,  if  all  women  were  so  sweetly  strung 
To  trust  and  follow  us,  the  task  were  light. 

RHODA 

The  women?     How?   you  doubt  their  equal  faith? 


158  THE   PROPHET: 

DAVID 

(Slowly,    walking    up     and    down,    and    closely     watching 
RHODA.) 

Not  equal  faith,  but  equal  —  shall  I  say  — 

Self-abnegation?      Nay,  the  word  escapes. 

'Tis  one  to  either  sex,  yet  opposite ; 

For  man  accepts,  without  a  harm  to  love, 

What  unto  woman  seems  its  fatal  hurt. 

Such  were  not  those  of  old,  the  strong  and  proud, 

The  stately  mothers,  favorites  of  the  Lord. 

What  wife  was  Rachel,  when  she  Bilhah  gave? 

Who  now  would  yield,  to  multiply  our  tribe, 

And  take  reproach  from  others,  nuptial  right? 

RHODA 

I  fear  to  understand.     Who  asks  the  "right"  ? 
What  men  demand  the  license?     Surely  you 
Denied  them? 


A  TRAGEDY.  159 

DAVID 

Wherefore  use  unseemly  words? 
Faith  is  not  license,   save  in  nobler  sense ; 
And  prayerful  questioning  is  no  demand. 
Say  "revelation,"  clear  as  any  given: 
Should  this  confirm,  what  then? 

RHODA 

'Twill  not  be  given, 

To  strike  the  life  from  all  true  women's  hearts ! 
Nay,   hear  me,   David  !     Do  not  turn  your  face. 
You  are  so  good !     They  have  misled  your  mind, 
Those  two,  themselves  misled,  who  cannot  reach 
Your  purer  height ;   but  this  is  not  of  3*011. 
Were  we  alone,  and  some  strange  sacrifice  — 
'Tis  foolish,  speaking  thus !      Put  me  aside, 
But  think  of  innocent  wives,  whose  joy  of  life, 
So  satisfied  with  trust  in  one  man's  truth, 
Sustains  them  in  long  weariness  and  fear, 


160  THE   PROPHET: 

That  end  in  pangs,  and  endless,  narrowing  cares : 
No,  no :   you  will  not  rob  them ! 

DAVID 

Have  I  robbed 

All  these  of  home,  to  leave  them  shelterless? 
Of  ignorant  faith,  to  send  no  power  instead? 
If  care  be  less  for  each,  yet  love  remain 
Enough  for  all,  I  give,  not  take  away. 
To  set  her  delicate  heart  in  common  breasts, 
And  so  interpret,  is  a  woman's  way: 
"Were  all  as  you  are  —     Nay,  there's  little  good 
Conjecturing  thus :   I  have  a  single  path. 
Shall  He  desert  me,  after  glorious  signs 
Given  from  the  first  ?     Why,  that  undoes  my  work  ! 
Who  was  it  sent  me  to  the  wilderness, 
Unsealed  mine  ears  until  the  distant  voice 
Drew  nearer,  and  a  vision  of  the  night 
So  seized  and  shook  my  helpless  human  soul, 


A  TRAGEDY.  161 

That  breath  forsook  me?     Yea,  almost  I  brake 
The  spider's  thread  dividing  earth  and  heaven ; 
But  such  was  not  His  will.     When  morning  came, 
And,  lapped  in  faint  indifference  to  life 
I  lay,  the  barren  rock  before  mine  eyes 
Was  as  a  table,  spread  by  angel-hands ! 
He  gave  me  food :    I  ate,  and  I  was  saved. 
As  well  refuse  the  food  he  offers  now, 
And  let  faith,  starving,  die ! 

RHODA 

(Eayerly.} 

Who  saved  you  then 

May  save  again !     Tis  nought  to  offer  food ; 
But  I  obeyed  a  voice,  this  moment  clear, 
And  charged,  I  feel,  with  all  the  Lord's  high  will 
In  woman  manifest.     I  pra}T  you,  take, 
Even  from  my  hands,  which  then  were  hid  from  you, 
Now,  openly,  my  evidence  from  Him ! 
11 


162  THE   PROPHET: 

DAVID 

What  double  sense  is  in  your  words?     I  hear, 
Not  comprehending. 

RHODA 

How  could  I  refrain? 

Two  days  had  passed :    I  dared  not  interrupt 
Your  solitude  of  soul,  and  prayers  that  fed 
Upon  the  life  of  your  forgotten  frame ; 
But,  guided  near  you,  oh,  thank  Him  for  that! 
I  left  the  food  - 

DAVID 

You  ?  you ! 

RHODA 

As  was  His  will, 
What  ails  you,  David? 

[Aside.] 

He  is  deadly  pale ; 


A  TRAGEDY.  163 

There's   something    fierce   and   strange   within  his 

eyes: 
He  frightens  me. 

DAVID 

You  brought  me  food? 

RHODA 

I  did. 

DAVID 

What  else  ?     What  more  have  you  in  secret  done  ? 
Who  taught  you  so  to  counterfeit  the  Lord? 
Woman !    to  burrow  underneath  my  feet, 
And  make  a  hollowness  where  rock  should  be ! 
How  dared  you  cheat  me? 

RHODA 

Slay  me  with  your  hand, 

Not  with  such  face  and  words !     If  I  but  saved 
(You  say  it  saved  you),  how  could  love  refrain? 


164  THE   PROPHET: 

I  have  obeyed,  believed  all  else  in  you, 
As  I  believe  and  worship  still :    forgive  ! 

[She  falls  on  her  knees  before  him. 

DAVID 

Not  unto  me,  your  husband,  David,  man; 
But,  if  I  be  a  Prophet  of  the  Lord, 
Yes,  if!     It  seems  to  you  a  little  thing : 
Rise  up  !     I  cannot  answer  now :    the  house 
Rocks  to  and  fro,  the  temple's  pinnacles 
Dance  in  the  air  like  devils'  shuttlecocks : 
There's  nothing  stable.     Rise,  I  say  again ! 

[She  rises  to  her  feet.'] 

Now  take  your  seat,  and  sew !     I've  heard  it  said 
Women  think  better  when  the  hand's  employed : 
If  'tis  so,  think  ! 

[He  moves  towards  the  door. 

RHODA 

David ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  165 

DAVID 

I  go  to  pray. 

[Exit. 

RHODA 

Come   back !     He's   gone.    O    God !    what   have    I 
done? 

SCENE   VI. 

Midnight.  The  interior  of  the  temple :  a  row  of  columns, 
on  either  side  of  the  nave,  throws  the  side  aisles  into 
shadow.  A  huge  baptismal  font  of  stone,  resting  on  four 
rudely-sculptured  figures,  —  a  lion,  an  ox,  a  griffin,  and 
a  ram,  —  rises  from  the  Jloor :  behind,  on  a  platform  of 
stone,  an  altar  bearing  the  ark,  on  each  side  of  which 
lights  are  burning  in  seven-branched  candlesticks.  A  veil, 
partly  lifted  on  one  side,  conceals  a  semicircular  chancel, 
which  is  the  Holy  of  Holies. 

DAVID 

(Slowly  pacing  along  the  nave.) 
And  this  complete,  a  house  to  give  Him  joy ! 
So  near,  so  great,  the  triumph,  and  the  dread 


166  THE  PROPHET: 

Forerunning  it !     But,  while  I  feared  a  bolt 

From  heaven,  the  earth,  without  a  warning,  heaved. 

She  cannot  see  the  harm,  nor  I  translate : 

O  doubt  of  soul,  so  often  trampled  down ! 

O  highest  faith,  as  oft  renewed  in  pain ! 

Why  comes  your  fiercest  battle  now?      She  fed; 

An  accident  upset  the  toppling  rock ; 

The  vision  was  a  dream:    the  flock  I  lead 

Is  fooled  by  me,  as  I  have  fooled  myself! 

Howe'er  I  turn,  I  stand  as  girt  by  fire; 

And  all  in  me  which  seemed  divinely  good 

Is  changed  to  poison,  made  a  scorpion-sting, 

To  pierce  my  soul  with  death.     Oh,  hearken,  Lord  ! 

{He  buries  his  face  in  his  hands.     A  shadow  glides  swiftly 
from  pillar  to  pillar,  and  pauses  opposite  to  him.'] 

LIVIA 

(Aside,  in  a  whisper.) 

He's    nigh    despair :     I    know  —  there's    but    one 
source  — 


A  TRAGEDY.  167 

Whence   comes    it.      Fail    me   not,    my   woman's 
heart, 

Or  he  and  I  are  lost. 

• 

DAVID 

(Lifting  his  head.) 

He  will  not  speak! 
Doth  He  not  know  how  terrible   it  is 
To  ask,  and  not  be  answered?     Why,  one  soul, 
For  sin  so  tortured,  would  make  justice  weep ; 
But  this  is  good,  this  seek  a  million  souls. 
What,    then,  is   He?     Hold,  hold!     There    lies    a 

gulf 

Whose  awful  darkness  frightens  worse  than  flame. 
The    thought's  a  serpent,  coiled   round  heart   and 

throat, 

And  crushing  life,  save  one  dull  spark  that  burns 
In  suffering  only. 

[He  staggers  to  one  side,  and  leans  against  a  column. 


168  THE   PROPHET  : 

• 

LIVIA 

(Aside.} 

This  is  deepest  woe 

Of  doubt,  that  vibrates  back  to  faith  again, 
Can  I  but  loose  the  string.      He  must  not  see, 
Nor  hear,  as  yet ;    but,  stay  !  one  chance  remains. 
[She  steals  forward,  and  vanishes  in  the  darkness. 

DAVID 

Thus  all  accomplished  crumbles,  slides  away ! 
Power  lost,  authority's  a  puff  of  smoke ; 
Respect  becomes  its  angry  opposite  ; 
For  each  an  insult  in  my  failure  feels, 
Spying  a  cold  intention  where  I  gave 
In  self-forgetting  faith. 

This  dare  not  be: 

Am  I  set  back,  to  seek  His  face  again? 
Through  heat  and  haste  of  youth,  too  ardent  hope 
Of  large  acceptance,  was  confusion  born, 


A  TRAGEDY.  169 

And  still  I  stray?      Even  for  the  sake  of  men, 

Should  I  appear  as  I  believed  I  was? 

One  line  of  light,  —  one  little  entering  thread, 

As  through  a  worm-hole  in  a  shutter  probes 

A  darkened  chamber,  —  that  would  save  my  power. 

\The  bass-pipes  of  the  organ  begin  to  sound,  scarcely 
audible  at  first,  but  gradually  increasing  in  volume  ; 
then,  after  a  few  simple,  alternating  chords,  a  faint, 
flute-like  stop  is  added. ] 

Is  this  an  answer,  out  of  weary  sense 
Awakened,  to  delude  me  as  before? 
Not  so !       I  cannot  dream  such  harmonies  : 
That  shuddering  of  the  air,  that  far-off  sweep 
Of  myriad  voices,  hiding  what  they  sing,  — 
I  feel,  I  hear  again !      Come  near,  and  speak ! 
Fold    up    your    fluttering    wings,  that    shake    the 

sound, 

Or  soothe  my  passion,  loosened  through  the  ej'es, 
Till  I  distinguish.      Oh  !    some  pity  breathes 


1 70  THE  PROPHET  : 

In  your  celestial  sweetness,  melting  me 
To  such  self-sorrow,  I  can  bear  no  more. 

[He    covers    his  face,    and   weeps:   the  music  gradu 
ally  ceases.] 

My  soul  is  quieted,  and  yet  so   sad  ! 
It  seems  to  wait,  not  all  disclothed  of  hope, 
But  passive,  like  the  silence  of  a  child 
Shut  up  alone,  whom  love  may  soon  release. 

But  I,  —  will  love  release  me? 

• 

LIVIA 

(Stepping  noiselessly  forward:   in  a  low  voice.') 

Prophet,  yea ! 

DAVID 
(Starting.} 
Ah!     What  is  this?    How  came  you  here? 

LIVIA 

He  called. 


A  TRAGEDY.  171 

DAVID 

He  called?     What  said  He? 

LIVIA 

First,    "Prepare  a  chant, 
Meet  for  the  dedication  of  My  house." 
I  rose,  came  hither;   and  the  organ-stops 
Compelled  my  fingers  to  the  strain  you  heard. 
As  in  a  dream,  the  solemn,  breathing  chords 
Filled  all  of  space  beneath  the  hollow  sky, 
Above  a  valley  ;   trees  and  rocky  crests 
I  seemed  to  see ;   and  one  awaiting  soul 
Was  there,  and  listening. 

DAVID 

Livia  !    This  you  saw  ? 

LIVIA 

Dimly,  and  far  away ;   but  you  were  near. 
Within  the  temple  something  wild  and  strange, 


172  THE  PROPHET: 

A  sense  of  agon}T,  a  dread  appeal, 

So  pierced  my  soul,  I  wept.     I  felt  whence  came 

The  subtile  influence,  —  felt,  and  yielded  all 

Receptive  tablets  of  magnetic  sense 

Which  woman  keeps,  the  substitute  for  power ; 

Till  what,  unconsciously,  }'ou  wrote  the^on 

Brought  me  to  you. 

DAVID 

I  wrote?  and  you  know  all? 
'Twere  miracle  !   and  yet,  within  your  eyes 
I  read  the  knowledge. 

LIVIA 

Also  that  my  faith 

Finds  surer  triumph,  planted  in  your  doubt? 
This  is  the  prophet-nature :    such  were  they 
Whose  lips  became  live  coals  of  kindled  truth, 
Dipped  in  the  hell  of  an  uncertain  mind, 


A  TRAGEDY.  173 

To  fit  them  for  the  bliss  of  certainty. 
What  you  esteem  more  keenly,  dreading  loss, 
You  will  attain :   your  very  fears  are  hopes  ; 
For,  if  the  signs  of  power  be  accidents, 
Then  accident  is  greater  miracle! 

DAVID 
Ha! 

LIVIA 

Thus,  each  side,  your  feet  are  firmly  set. 

DAVID 
And  what  I  ponder,  —  is  it  known  to  jou? 

LIVIA 

Ay,  known  and  pondered,  as  a  woman  weighs 
Her  share  in  law,  her  half  of  destiny ; 
Not  coldly,  but  with  warm,  impressive  mind, 
That  shapes  its  living  features.     Would  you  see 
Their  form  in  mine? 


174  THE  PROPHET: 

DAVID 

I  feel  it,  ere  you  speak; 
And  yet  I  would  behold. 

LIVIA 

Within  my  heart 

Truth  purer  is,  than  educated  shame. 
Unteach  this  last  in  woman,  she  will  love 
Not  selfishly,  as  now,  —  possessing  less 
By  claiming  more, — but  with  a  proud  content 
In  yielding  home  and  honor  to  the  rest. 
[She  speaks  in  a  lower  tone.'] 

Here  might  I  help :    my  heart  suggests  a  way 
It  shrinks  from,   save  extremity  of  need 
Demand  all  sacrifice.     If  I  confess 
One  timid  prayer,  and  justify  the  law 
Through  my  desire,  I  do  but  shut  the  door 
On  its  fulfilment. 


A  TRAGEDY.  175 

DAVID 

Livia !  . 

LIVIA 

Bid  me  speak, 
And  by  obedience  other  bliss  may  come. 

DAVID 

Livia!    fulfilment  of  your  prayer,  and  mine! 
So  many  hearts,  as  birds  in  mating-time, 
Draw  near  each  other  perched  on  hedge  and  spray ; 
But  ours,  like  skylarks,  met  above  the  cloud! 
When  first  I  saw  you,  there  was  touch  of  wings, 
Far  up  in  loftier  solitudes  of  air 
A  warm  companionship.      You  cannot  sink 
Below  our  partnered  light,  nor  I,  alone, 
Aspire  beyond  it.      Come,  and  be  yourself 
The  law,  the  revelation ! 

[He  stretches  out  Ms  arms :  LIVIA  throws  herself  upon 
his  breast.'] 


176  THE   PEOPHET  : 

LIVIA 

David !    now 
My  Prophet  and  my  love ! 

[Kissing  him.'] 

Oh !  nevermore 

Shall  I,  thus  beckoned,  falter  on  the  way ; 
But  when  your  weary  spirit  leans  on  mine, 
And  draws  such  life  as  once,  from  hers  he  gave, 
The  Roman  father,  I  am  all  fulfilled. 
This  is  the  place,  the  purpose,  and  the  power 
For  me  ordained :   be  not  less  bold  to  take 
Than  I  to  give ! 

DAVID 

(Returning  her  kisses.) 

This  sign  shall  triumph.     Lo ! 
The  Enemy  but  made  his  last  assault : 
My  power  comes  back :  the  temple  stands  complete  ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  177 

SCENE    VII. 

Midnight.  A  bed-chamber  in  the  PROPHET'S  house. 
RHODA  seated  near  a  small  table,  upon  which  is  a 
shaded  lamp ;  the  New  Testament  in  her  lap ;  the 
child  asleep  in  a  crib  near  her. 

RHODA 

(Closing  the  volume.) 

It  is  not  there ;  or  else  my  troubled  mind 
Fails  to  detect  it.     All  the  precious  words, 
All,  all,  I  find ;  that,  like  a  mother's  kiss 
And  healing  breath  upon  her  baby's  hurt, 
Make  the  poor  heart  forget  its  bruise,  —  all,  all ! 
The  sweetness  of  the  Life  that  loved  the  world, 
So  hallowing  human  love  ;    the  promises 
That  keep  a  nobler  justice  still  alive 
Beneath  each  wrong ;   the  nearness  of  the  Lord, 
As  of  a  wing  that  covers  and  defends,  — 
They  shine  upon  me.      Only  this  unsaid? 
12 


178  THE  PROPHET: 

He  must  have  said  it:    they  forgot  to  write. 
It  was  so  small  a  thing  for  Him,  —  ten  words 
To  help  all  women,  —  3^ea,  enough  were  three ! 
A  single  breathing  from  His  lips  divine, 
And    we   were    saved;   for,    though    he   meant   so 

much, 
Not  thus  commanding,  men  will  dare  deny  ! 

I  saw  the  text  so  clearly  in  my  soul, 

Already  marked,  and  laid  the  open  book 

On  David's  desk.      He  could  not  help  but  see, 

And  then  the  power  within  him  would  be  firm, 

I  prayed,  to  conquer  other  counsel.     Ah! 

What    course    remains?      My  tongue    deceives  my 

heart ; 

I  speak  but  foolishness,  and  vex  him  more. 
But  hers  makes  beautiful  a  darkened  thought, 
Makes  purity  a  secret  selfishness, 
And  holy  love  an  evil.      Oh,  'tis  false! 


A  TRAGEDY.  179 

Why,  what  did  he  declare  me  at  the  first  ?  — 
That  faith  and  love  are  one !     Give  me  a  line, 
Clear,  pointed,  piercing,  from  the  armory  here, 
And  I  will  use  it  as  a  sword.      I  reach, 
But  they  are  hung  too  high,  or  over-weight 
My  hand ;    and  I  am  helpless  to  contend, 
As  if  the  Lord  opposed  me. 

[The  child  moves  restlessly  in  his  sleep."] 

You  are  safe, 

My  baby,  even  from  the  world's  reproach,  — 
Of  love  begotten,  ere  its  nature  strayed. 
What  waits  for  }'ou  and  me?      Confusion  comes 
When  that  which  in  the  universal  heart 
Alone  is  holy  finds  no  reverence. 

\TJie  child  wakens,  and  begins  to  cry.  She  takes  him 
from  the  crib,  folds  him  warmly  in  the  bed-clothes, 
and  rocks  him  upon  her  breast.'] 

Hush,  darling,  hush !      If  that  thy  mother's  woe 
Hath  pierced  thine  innocent,  unconscious  rest, 


180  THE   PROPHET: 

And  wakened  thee  in  witless  trouble,  hush! 
Thou  art  too  young  for  any  thing  but  joy, 
Too  dear  for  shadowed  pain ;    and  some   old  song 
Must  cheat  my  sorrow  till  thou  sleep'st  again. 

[Sings.] 

"  My  baby  smiles,  at  last  awake  : 

The  curtains  let  me  draw, 
And  on  my  happy  bosom  take 
The  child  he  never  saw. 

"  He'll  come  to-night :  the  wind's  at  rest, 

The  moon  is  full  and  fair  ; 
I  wear  the  dress  that  pleased  him  best, 
A  ribbon  in  my  hair. 

"  So  lately  wed,  so  long  away! 

But,  oh  !   between  is  joy  : 
He  left  a  wife;  he'll  find  to-day 
A  mother  and  a  boy. 

"  Be  still,  my  heart !    the  sound  I  hear 

Is  not  the  step  I  know ; 
Biit  hope  so  perfect  turns  to  fear, 
And  bliss  is  nigh  to  woe. 


A  TRAGEDY.  181 

'What  voices  now  delay  Ms  tread, 

Or  plan  a  sweet  surprise? 
Come,  bate !  and  we  shall  wake,  instead, 

The  rapture  of  his  eyes." 

The  moonlight,  through  the  open  door, 

TJpon  her  forehead  smiled. 
Still  feet  and  frozen  heart  they  bore  : 

He  never  saw  his  child ! 

[She  breaks  into  a  passion  of  weeping. 


ACT    IV. 

SCENE   I.  —  THE  TEMPLE. 

Grand  ceremony  of  dedication :  (he  main  aisle  is  thronged 
with  people,  —  men,  women,  and  children.  The  baptismal 
font  is  filed  with  water,  and  decorated  with  garlands. 
Lights  are  burning  in  the  seven-branched  candlesticks :  a 
Jlat  brazier,  containing  live  coals,  stands  upon  the  altar. 
The  Holy  of  Holies  is  concealed  by  a  dark  purple  veil. 
Upon  the  platform,  in  the  centre,  on  the  right  hand  of  the 
altar,  stands  DAVID,  in  robes  of  white,  embroidered  with 
gold;  on  the  left  hand,  NIMROD  KRAFT,  as  high-priest, 
in  robes  of  violet,  embroidered  with  silver,  and  a  tall  silver 
mitre  upon  his  head;  behind  them  ten  members  of  the 
COUNCIL  OF  TWELVE,  in  robes  of  pale  green,  bordered 
with  crimson:  they  bear  symbols,  representing  the  gifts 
and  attributes  of  the  Church.  Four  boys,  standing  below, 
in  front  of  the  altar,  hold  censers  in  their  hands. 
182 


A  TRAGEDY.  183 

DAVID 

THIS  having  heard,  —  commanded  to  receive, 
By  Him  who  speaks  through  me,  —  do  you  possess 
As  somewhat,  unto  them  whose  hearts  are  strong 
To  plant  His  service  in  devoted  lives, 
Permitted ;    not  as  ordered  unto   all. 
The  sword  of  Truth  is  only  terrible 
Against  defiant  wills  :    whoso  obeys 
In  spirit,  though  his  human  reason  fail, 
Shall  yet  perceive  in  spirit,  and  be  glad. 
It  is  the  highest  faith  that  tramples  down 
Rebellious  intellect:    while  this  is  blind, 
That  sees ;    and  even  where  the  softer  heart 
May  tremble,  in  its  delicate  habit  jarred 
By  harmonies  of  love  that  first  disturb, 
'Tis  Faith  that  soothes  our  bosom's  frightened  bird, 
And  says,  "The  nestlings  and  the  nest  are  safe." 
Remember  this  ;    and  still  exalt  }'our  souls 
To  light  that  purifies,  while  fancied  warmth 


184  THE  PROPHET  : 

May  stream  from  darkness.     That  revealed,  I  give ; 
Not  that  expected,  or  of  men  preferred. 
And  Thou  who  gavest,  symbol  of  whose  truth 
These  living  coals  upon  Thine  altar  glow, 
Take,  from  the  hands  of  the  anointed  priest, 
Our  first  burnt-offering !     As  it  melts  in  flame, 
And  radiance  out  of  darkened  dross  is  born, 
So  melt  from  us,  in  this  Thy  holy  house, 
All  understanding,  feeling,  thought,  and   love 
Not  meet  for  Thee,  till  every  soul,  refined, 
Burn  in  an  upward  glory. 

NIMROD 

If  strange  fire, 

Hated  of  Thee,  the  food  of  heathen  gods, 
Come  forth  from  what  we  offer,  quench  the  flame, 
Or  turn  it  back,  consuming  these  my  hands ! 

[With  both   hands  he  casts   something  upon   the  coals. 
A  clear,  rose-colored  flame  arises,  steadily  increasing 


A  TRAGEDY.  185 

in  brilliancy,  until  all  the  interior  of  the  temple  is 
tinted  by  its  radiance.  The  boys  swing  their  censers; 
and  the  clouds  of  perfumed  smoke  are  illuminated 
as  they  rise.'] 

CHANT 

(With  full  organ  accompaniment.) 

Hosanna  !  harp  and  song 

Proclaim  the  consummation  : 
Homeless  on  earth  so  long, 

Thou  hast  an  habitation! 
As  was  of  old  Thy  bid, 
Thine  holy  place  is  hid: 
Descend,  and  dwell  amid 

Thy  chosen  nation! 
Hark  to  the  voice  of  Thy  welcome,  Jehovah! 

Make  this  Thy  city  proud, 

And  this  Thy  sacred  river! 
Guard  us  with  fire  and  cloud, 

And  arrows  from  Thy  quiver! 
Increase  us  where  we  stand, 
That  we  possess  the  land; 
And  from  our  enemy's  hand 

With  might  deliver! 
Dwell  in  the  house  we  have  builded,  Jehovah! 


186  THE  PROPHET: 

JONAS 

(Among  the  congregation,  to  HUGH.) 
The  most  are  caught.       I  marvel  at  myself, 
Like  one,  who,  entering  on  a  company 
Filled    with    deceitful    wine,   tongues   thawed  and 

hearts, 

Feels  an  unfriendly  soberness  of  blood, 
Until  their  folly  rights  him.     This  alone 
Were  harmless  luxury  for  stinted  souls, 
Save  for  its  rootage  in  their  homely  lives. 
The  evil  waxes  strong. 

HUGH 

And  weak,  thereby, 

Our  chances.     Note  the  women's  faces,  here ! 
At  first  I  thought  them  troubled :    now  the  bait, 
Self-sacrifice,  upon  the  hook  of  faith, 
But  gently  frightens :    they  already  feel 
Consent  approach,  and  shyly  play  with  it, 
To  gulp  more  perfectly  at  last. 


A  TRAGEDY.  187 

JONAS 

Be  still! 

The  priest,  through  all  his  haze  of  sanctity, 
Fails  not  to  watch  us :   meet  me  three  days  hence. 

NIMROD 

(Addressing  the  people.) 

Even  as  He  charged,  sojourning  in  the  coasts 
Of  Gadara,  tell  no  man  this  ye  saw. 
Who  came  to  us  must  their  belief  attest, 
Ere  they  be  worthy  of  the  signs.      Dull  ears 
Misread  the  revelations :    clouded  eyes 
Behold  them  darkly.     Wherefore,  you"  that  know, 
Be  as  enclosed  gardens  to  the  world. 
The  highway  is  no  Tabor,  meet  for  saints ; 
The  market-place  is  no  Gethsemane. 
Keep  the  exceeding  nearness  of  the  Lord, 
This  day,  and  when  again  in  voice  and  flame 
He  visits  us,  like  secret  holiness 


188  THE  PROPHET: 

We  share  as  brethren,  but  none  else  than  we. 
I  gave  you  once  the  Prophet's  parable, 
Here  verified :    the  tender  roots  of  faith, 
That  feed  such  glorious  summer-leaves  of  life, 
Lie  deep  below,  and  wither  when  laid  bare. 
A  happy  bond,  indeed,  is  speech  of  that 
Which  moves  the  heart;    but  holier,  sweeter  far, 
The  bond  of  silence,  guarding  truth  revealed! 

MORDECAI 

(To  SIMEON.) 

Wise  words,  and  most  devout !     But  wherefore  now 
Adds  he  this  law,  when,  publishing  the  first, 
We  gather  thousands? 

V 

SIMEON. 

Not  to  any  one 

May  I  declare,  even  that  I  know  his  mind. 
I  say  not  that  I  know  it:    be  assured, 
No  less,  that  also  wisdom  orders  here. 


A  TRAGEDY.  189 

DAVID 

(To  the  people.} 

Once  more  my  mouth  is  opened  ere  ye  go. 

In  every  house  the  fatness  of  our  land 

Prepares  your  feast ;  the  shawms  and  sackbuts  wait, 

With  lighter  measures,  for  rejoicing  feet ; 

The  day  is  made  a  glory,  far  and  wide, 

On  shore  and  river.      Issuing  forth  to  these, 

Let  not  your  perfect  exaltation  sink 

Even  to  the  gladsome  level  of  the  time. 

Behold  in  all,  as  out  of  nothing  wrought, 

What  here  the  soul  commanded,  and  the  hand, 

A  willing  slave,  fulfilled !     As  it  hath  been, 

So,  with  increasing  forces,  let  it  be ; 

And,  from  the  loins  of  us  that  humbly  serve, 

Shall  start  the  lineage  of  millennial  kings ! 

[Sound  of  the  organ.      The  PROPHET,  HIGH-PRIEST, 

and  members  of  the  TWELVE  come  forward  to  the 
front  of  the  platform,  and  lift  their  hands,  while  the 
people  gradually  disperse.] 


190  THE  PKOPHET: 

SCENE    II. 

A  room  -in  the  house  of  JONAS.  Night.  A  small  lamp 
burning  upon  the  table;  the  shutters  closed.  JONAS,  his 
wife  SARAH,  HUGH,  and  HIRAM,  a  member  of  the 
Church. 

SARAH 

Walls  hear,  'tis  said;    but  they've  no  tongues  to 

blab. 

Up  street  and  down,  so  far  as  I  can  see, 
'Tis  lonely  as  a  graveyard:    use  your  chance, 
And  well,  and  quickly ! 

JONAS 

Many  more  are  ripe 

For  what  we  may  determine :    all  they  need 
Is  certainty  of  equal  power  opposed ; 
And  this,  within  the  compass  of  our  flock, 
They  see  not,  neither  is  it  found:    so  strong, 
So  as  with  Devil's  wisdom  skilled  to  work, 


A  TRAGEDY.  191 

Is  Nimrod  Kraft.     But  one  thing  hath  he  taught 

Whereby  we  profit, — to  keep  counsel  close, 

Direction  in  a  single  pair  of  hands, 

And  move,  when  ready,  backed  by  secret  force. 

Why,  such  a  man  profanes  conspiracy, 

So  using  it!    His  weapons,  in  our  hands, 

Scoured  by  the  better  purpose,  are  made  sure. 

HUGH 

The  hands  are  yours  that  shape  the  counter-plan ; 
And  mine  are  idle  till  you  bid  them  do. 
Whence  comes  the  equal  power? 

SARAH 

If  men  are  weak, 

Then  women  easily  may  foil  the  law. 

It  were  the  rarest  show,  good  faith!   to  see 

The  battle  left  to  us  ;  our  recompense, 

To  own  their  weakness  whole,  which,  but  for  us, 

Would  be  divided. 


192  THE   PROPHET: 

JONAS 


T,  you  haste  too  much. 
Already  half  the  leaven  of  discontent 
Is  kneaded  up  in  their  submissive  clay  ; 
And  that  which  drew  us,  and  we  still  accept, 
Grows  one  with  what  we  loathe.     Thus  open  war 
Were  vainly  ventured  :    leaving  them,  we  lose 
Possession  and  its  chances.      What  remains? 
The  help  abiding  in  the  outer  law,  — 
A  hand  still  stretched,  to  smite  where  it   forbids, 
As  this,  yet  spare  whatever  else  we  hold. 

HUGH 

Then,  as  I  guess,  you  guide  the  Gentile  law 
To  his  confusion  only?      Can  you  stay 
Its  meddling  there,  nor  open  other  pleas, 
Which,  in  the  end,  may  set  us  where  we  stood 
At  the  beginning? 


A  TRAGEDY.  193 

JONAS 

There  my  secret  lies. 

The  world  is  pressing  on  us  :    right  and  left 
New  colonies  have  passed  the  prairie  lands, 
To  settle  on  the  river-bluffs,  and  build 
Some  cabin-city  they  believe  shall  be 
A  centre  of  the  world.     The  chief  of  one, 
And  potent  in  their  county  government, 
Is  kin  of  mine ;    and  messages  have  passed. 
That  half  the  plot,  and  most  of  danger,  falls 
To  them  who  work  outside,  not  seeming   leagued, 
Demands  advantage.     What  were  ours  to  give, 
After  success,  and  what  were  fair  to  give,  — 
So  that  the  leadership  secures  to  us,  — 
Needs  final  parley:  time  and  place  are  fixed. 

HIRAM 

As  here  and  now  declared :    this  day  I  bore 
Your  message  and  its  answer.      Colonel  Hyde 

13 


194  THE   PROPHET: 

Sees  lighter  work  in  leading  on  his  men 

Than  holding  back :    the  excitement  grows   apace. 

Give  evidence  to  make  pretence  of  law 

A  legal  movement,  should  the  law  inquire : 

He  asks  no  more. 

HUGH 
The  revelation,  say? 

JONAS 

Just  that !      With  all  the  priest's  freemasonry 
To  keep  the  usage  secret,  here  and  there 
Are  leaky  souls :    the  raftsmen,  as  they  pass 
The  landing ;    firemen,  wooding  up  their  boats ; 
Or  peddling  agents,  prowling  through  the  land, — 
Catch  hints  of  it,  and  bear  disfigured  forth. 
Thus  interference  threatens  either  way ; 
But  we  avert  a  ruin  possible, 
And  seat  ourselves  in  power,  to  change  and  save, 
By  pointing  the  attack. 


A  TRAGEDY.  195 

HUGH 

And  yet  I've  heard 

How  one,  that,  in  the  guns  against  him  fired, 
Had  rammed  blank  cartridges,  forgot  a  ball. 
Your  plan  is  perfect,  if  the  guidance  holds  - 

SARAH 

(Interrupting  him.') 

What  man  are  you,  to  fear  the  lesser  risk? 
The  thing  is  coming.       Standing  now  to  us, 
You  lose  no  more,  though  interference  fail, 
And  gain  by  any  change. 

JONAS 

The  fact  of  kin 

In  him  whose  hands  must  grapple  with  the  priest 
Is  my  security.     Full  match  is  he, 
As  you  shall  know.      We  meet,  to  settle  all, 
Beyond  the  river-bend,  just  where  the  bluff 


196  THE  PBOPHET: 

Turns  inland,  and  the  little  brook  comes  down. 
'Tis  thickly  wooded :    there  the  Indians  made 
Their  final  stand  ;    and  rows  of  bleaching  ribs 
Shine,  like  the  fangs  of  steel-traps,  from  the  grass. 
Even  border  hunters,  bold  to  hug  a  bear, 
Avoid  it  after  nightfall :   we  are  safe 
From  even  suspicion's  ear,  conferring  there. 
Will  you  go  with  me? 

HUGH 

Coward  am  I  not, 

Though  cautious,  as  befits  a  man  full-grown. 
But  woman's  virtue  caution  never  was : 
Only  the  rash  are  brave  to  her.      I'll  go! 


A  TRAGEDY.  197 

SCENE   III. 
Night.      A  street  in  the  city. 

HUGH 

(Walking  slowly  homewards.} 
Were  he  alone,  he  might  conspire  alone, 
And  welcome !      This  is  shrewdly  done,  if  his  ; 
The  more,  if  hers.      I  thought  her  not  so  wise. 
If  interference  menaces  indeed, 
And  one  might  make  conditions,  then,  why,  then 
Comes  chajice  to  seize  o'erthrown  authority,  — 
No  matter  whose,  —  and  let  it  stick  to  me. 
So  much  there  is  of  wisdom  in  the  plan : 
We  lose  by  quiet,  and  we  can  but  gain 
By  new  disturbance.      Had  he  promised  aught  — 
But  'tis  the  same!      What  as  an  offer  fails, 
Can  I  exact :   which  side  goes  up  or  down, 
One  moment  both  are  balanced  evenly, 
And  then  a  hand  decides.      The  man's  a  fool 


198  THE  PROPHET  : 

Who  thinks  to  cheapen  revolution's  cost, 
And  feed  enthusiasm  upon  itself, 
Without  the  hope  of  benefit:    go  to! 
I  may  be  made  a  cat's-paw,  but  sharp-eyed 
To  grab  one  chestnut,  —  let  me  see  it  first! 

NIMROD 

(Suddenly  appearing  at  his  side.) 
I'll  show  you!      What!    you  meditate  escape? 
Stand    still !       I  will    not    touch    you,    since   you 

must. 
How  left  you  Jonas? 

HUGH 

In  his  usual  mood; 
Dissenting,  yet  not  disobedient. 

NIMROD 

And  yours  the  same?     Should  I  repeat  his  words, 
While  every  tone  is  in  your  ears  alive, 


A  TRAGEDY.  199 

You  would  deny  them :    so  I  waste  no  breath. 
I  would  have  suffered  you  to  take  the  lead 
To  that  fair  quicksand-scum  you  think  is  turf, 
And  said,  "  Good  riddance  !  "  —  save  that  you  can 

serve  ; 

And  that  you  will,  is  truth,  when  I  declare 
You  shall  not  serve  unpaid. 

HUGH 

A  Devil's  brain 

Is  yours ! 

NIMROD 

A  brain  that  once  he  owned,  perhaps ; 
Now  by  the  Lord,  to  his  discomfiture, 
Tuned  otherwise. 

HUGH 

(Aside.) 

Why,  even  here,  to  me, 
With  both  hands  full  of  treachery  and  bribes, 


200  THE   PEOPHET: 

He    says    such    things!       That's    genius,    on    my 

soul! 

[Aloud.] 

The  Lord  directs  you?   well,  then,  also  me, 
If  I  should  do  your  will. 

NIMROD 

My  instrument 
Is  surely  His,  in  spite  of  halting  faith. 

HUGH 
What  would  you  have  me  do? 

NIMROD 

Stay  what  you  are, 

A  traitor!    plot  and  plan  our  overthrow, 
With  him  and  others :    only,  as  a  spout 
Collects,  from  every  shingle  on  the  roof, 
What  rain  it  sheds,   to  fill  the  thirsty  tank, 
Convey  to  me  your  knowledge,  me  alone ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  201 

HUGH 

The  Lord  commands  at  will  what  He  forbids, 
It  seems,  or  you.  interpret  loosety :   be  it  so ! 
I'll  grant  His  purpose  better  know  to  you, 
And  let  you  patch  the  breakage  in  His  law  ; 
But,  if  the  open  virtue  earns  reward, 
This  claims  a  higher  payment ! 

NIMROD 

In  }Tour  work 

Will  soon  be  shown  the  form  of  your  desire, 
Which,  being   seen,   I'll  make  reality. 
Though  partly  known  to  me,  I  dare  not  speak 
The  Prophet's  mind,  but  bid  you  ponder  this : 
If  you  were  set  aside,  not  faithless  charged, 
Nor  any  virtue  lacking,  but  for  use, 
As  one  unjustly  to  conspiracy 
Compelled,  by  justice  to  be  beckoned  back, 
And  crowned  by  honor  when  the  plot  is  crushed, 
How  then? 


202  THE  PHOPHET: 

HUGH. 

(Aside.) 

This  is  a  touch  beyond  me !     Driven, 
While  will  and  purpose  wholly  seemed  my  own, 
To  do  the  thing  he  wanted,  —  can  it  be? 

(Aloud.) 

"How  then?"     'Tis  just  another  miracle. 

There    have    been    men  whose    tongues   or  hands 

obeyed 

Some  dark,  mysterious  force,  and  did  the  things 
Their  souls  resisted :    am  I  one  of  such  ? 

NIMROD 

It  well  may  be :   the  working  of  the  power, 

Itself  is  mystery.     Weary  not  your  mind, 
As  if  to  your  account  were  aught  set  down, 
Even  seeming  treachery.     So  much  we  know, 
Source,  pretext,  object,  chance,  and  means  of  aid, 


A  TKAGEDY.  203 

That,  had  your  virtue  yielded,  we  were  safe; 
But  time  is  gained  since  you  endure  the  test, 
And  labor  lessened.      Here  your  service  lies. 
First,  come  with  me,  and  state  the  very  truth, 
Mindful  that,  if  you  swerve,  my  knowledge  waits 
To  prop  your  memory.     This  rehearsal  made, 
And  duty  fixed  in  what  concerns  us  next, 
We'll  talk  of  your  exaltment  and  reward. 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE   IV. 

LIVIA'S     house.       DAVID    seated    in    a    cushioned     arm 
chair :  LIVIA  on  a  low  stool  beside  him. 

DAVID 

The  restlessness  that  stirs  in  feet  and  limbs, 
The  dull  confusions  that  besiege  the  brain, 
The  strange  uncertainties  of  heart,  pass  off 
When  you  are  near  me :    overhead  in  blue 
The  sun  comes  out ;    and  life  is  like  a  land 


204  THE   PEOPHET: 

Where  tempered  winds  kiss  buds,  and  make  them 

flowers. 
What  is  your  magic?     Nay,  it  it  is  yourself! 

LIVIA 

It  is  that  I,  who  follow  and  believe, 
So  spared  the  high  anxieties  of  soul 
In  you  that  cleave  your  passage  to  the  truth, 
Am  ever  fresh,  a  little  way  beneath, 
To  stay  your  weariness  from  further  fall. 
The  light  }-our  being  brings  transfuses  mine 
With  strength  and  gladness  ever  to  uphold 
Myself,  upholding  you. 

DAVID 

The  gift  of  tongues 

If  I  bestowed,  jet  scarce  the  gift  of  song. 
Whence  come  your  hymns,  as  eloquent  of  faith 
As  Miriam  sang,  between  the  sea  and  Shur,  — 


A  TRAGEDY.  205 

Rejoicing  strains,  that  suit  our  cheerful  laws, 
And  shame  the  Gentiles'  wailing  psalmody? 

LIVIA 

'Tis  consecration  of  a  skill  profane 
Wherein  my  soul  found  foolish  peace.     I  sang, 
In  that  dark  time  before  I  saw  your  eyes, 
Of  knightly  harps,  and  willow- wearing  maids, 
Of  jewelled  crowns*  red  swords,  and  evening  stars, 
And  lonely  tombs,  and  ghosts  that  wept  and  went. 
One  burden  beat  through  all.     Such  songs  betrayed 
The  lack  of  that  which  sweeter  is  than  song, 
Now  found ;   but  raptures  of  believing  bliss 
Seek  the  same  passage,  and  the  single  voice, 
Chanting  in  them,  becomes  the  speech  of  all ! 
Stay,  would  you  hear  a  ditty  which  yourself, 
As  one  whose  arm  may  brush  accordant  strings, 
Nor  mark  in  passing,  did  awake  in  me? 
A  secret,  else,  and  dumb  for  other  ears. 


206  THE  PROPHET  : 

DAVID 

Oh,  sing !     Though  David's  craft  you  exercise 
In  being  silent,  yet  my  soul  demands. 

LIVIA 

(Takes  a  guitar  from  a  table,  tunes  the  strings,  and  after 
a  soft,  subduing  prelude,  sings.) 

Let  words  be  faint,  and  song  refuse 

To  frame  the  speech  divine  : 
Look  on  me,  love,  and  all  they  lose 

Your  eyes  shall  sing  to  mine  ! 
I  ask  no  voice  to  breathe  my  bliss, 

Or  bid  its  answer  come  ; 
For  lips  are  silent  when  they  kiss, 

And  meeting  hearts  are  dumb. 

A  wave  that  slides  to  clasp  a  wave, 

On  mine  your  being  flows  ; 
The  pang  you  took,  the  peace  you  gave, 

Must  wed  in  such  repose. 
So,  love,  your  eyes  alone  shall  tell 

What  else  were  unconfessed  ; 
And,  if  too  fondly  mine  compel, 

Oh,  hide  them  on  your  breast  ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  207 

DAVID 

Livia !     What  are  yon  ?    What  triumphant  force 
Flows  out  from  you,  and  knits  my  blood  with  3rours? 
How  is  it  that  the  liquid  dark  of  eyes 
I  gaze  on  grows  a  broadening  sphere  of  light, 
Enclosing  me  forever? — touching  so 
Your  hand,  that  suddenly  a  warmer  world 
Beckons  and  wooes  as  if  it  might  be  mine  ?  — 
That  in  your  cheek  the  blossom-tender  flesh, 
As  it  were  spirit,  sanctifies  my  lips? 
Oh!  you  are  beautiful. 

LIVIA 

Because  I  love ! 

All  happiness  prints  beauty  on  the  face. 
I  cannot  keep  it  like  a  bridal-dress, 
Laid  in  a  drawer,  with  fragrant  orris-root, 
And  wear  my  working-gowns  again.     I'm  bold, 
And  proud  of  boldness,  glad  because  of  pride, 


208  THE  PROPHET  : 

And  love  the  more  for  gladness !     Thus  my  heart 

Beats  in  a  ring,  beginning  as  it  ends,  — 

A  magic  circle,  and  you  dwell  therein! 

DAVID 
My  love ! 

LI  VI  A. 

You  say  it,  and  I  echo  back. 
What  more  is  freedom  to  a  beaten  slave, 
Than  this  to  me?     Oh !    I  could  sit,  as  now, 
And  study  all  the  beauty  of  your  eyes, 
Where  nameless  color  brightens  here  to  blue, 
And    there    turns    brown,  until    the   dusk    should 

leave 

Their  sparkle  only.     I  could  part  your  locks, 
And  from  my  fingers  shake  their  wandering  gloss, 
To  seize  again,  and  soothe  with  creeping  thrills, 
Till  you  should  dip  in  slumber  ere  you  knew. 
I  am  as  one  that  scarcelv  can  believe 


A  TRAGEDY.  209 

Past  poverty  is  o'er,  but  ever  spends, 

To  teach  himself  his  hands  are  verily  gold. 

If  you  have  feared,  lest  shame  and  danger  wait 

To  blight  the  second  marriage  of  your  heart, 

Leave  me  to  meet  them,  and  to  tread  them  down. 

DAVID 
I  fear  no  more ;   I  wait  no  longer :    come ! 

SCENE   V. 

The    Council-Room.       DAVID,    XIMROD,    SIMEON,    and 
MOKDECAI  in  secret  conference. 

DAVID 

The  danger's  real :    shut  within  our  camp, 
Would  perfidy,  in  time,  consume  itself; 
But  thus,  in  league  with  outer  ignorance 
That  easily  breeds  hate,  it  threatens  harm. 
Have  you  assured  yourself  how  much  of  truth 

14 


210  THE   PROPHET  : 

In  this  alliance  lies?  —  with  how  much  power 
It  arms  itself? 

NIMROD 

Last  night  my  messengers 
Came  back  from  close  espial  of  the  land. 
With  tongues  disguised  to  speak  the  Gentile  mind, 
They  won  so  much  as  Colonel  Hyde  sees  fit 
To  let  his  followers  know  ;    and  strangely  shows 
Our  Church's  image  in  their  looking-glass! 
Hereof  they  speak :    a  faction  needing  help 
Among  us  ;    hints  of  strange,  unholy  rites 
To  be  suppressed  ;    and  promised  evidence 
(For  he,  considerate  of  future  place, 

V 

First  means  to  lift  the  banner  of  the  law)  ; 
Then,  last  of  all,  his  godless  crew  expects 
Plunder  and  ravage!      They  would  snatch  away, 

With  unclean  hands,  the  Lord's  high  heritage, 

They  careful  of  the  faith  !      The  Devil  laughs, 
Methinks,  to  see  such  Christian  volunteers 


A  TRAGEDY.  211 

Assail  our  industry  with  hands  of  theft, 
Our  laws  with  sinful  bodies,  and  our  prayers 
With  tongues  that  cast  defilement  when  they  speak. 

MORDEGAI 

Oh,  sons  of  Belial !      But  the  Lord  shall  raise 
His  hand  to  smite,  as  at  the  gates  of  Ai. 

NIMROD 

What  have  we  done  that  should  alarm   their  law? 
Lo !    strife  and  murder  in  this  border  land 
It  scarcely  chides,  is  patient  of  free  lust, 
Yet  makes  a  culprit  of  the  sanctioned  love 
That  broadens  home.      It  waits  for  evidence. 
I  would  not  counsel  rashness :    let  it  wait, 
And  not  receive ! 

DAVID 

Then  is  their  pretext  vain ; 
For  we,  appealing  to  the  selfsame  source, 


212  THE   mOPHET  : 

Possess  law's  shield,  to  hold  against  its  sword 
Wherewith  they  threaten.     That  were  best  of  all ; 
But  how  prevent  the  tales,  if  true  or  false, 
Which  may  be  carried? 

NIMROD 
(After  a  pause. ) 

He  who  governs  us 

Once  smote  directly :    will  He  do  so  now  ? 
The  liar  once  fell  dead ;   the  enemy 
Was  slaughtered,  and  no  child  of  all  his  seed 
Renewed  the  race :    even  mercy  was  reproach, 
And  Moses  felt  the  anger  of  the  Lord, 
When  human  plea  persuaded  him  to  spare. 
How  much  the  more  than  what  was  punished  thus 
Doth  Jonas  purpose  !      Why  delays  the  bolt  ? 
Wiry  rusts  the  blade  in  God's  closed  armory? 
Or,  waits  He  for  our  call?   means  He  to  test 
What  zeal  and  courage  guard  His  holy  place? 


A  TRAGEDY.  213 

Then,  cry  aloud !       As  it  was  said  of  old, 
They  were  not,  for  the  Lord  had  taken  them, 
So  in  your  soul  command,  Let  him  not  be ! 

SIMEON 

Ay !  that  were  shortest  passage  to  the  end : 
Let  him  not  be ! 

MORDECAI 

Who  from  the  Anakim 
His  hosts  delivered,  over  Arnon  led, 
And  gave  the  men  of  Heshbon  to  their  hands, 
"Will,  from  exceeding  smallness  of  this  prayer, 
Be  merry  in  His  mind !     No  giants  here 
Oppose  our  path,  but  one  malicious  dwarf, 
Whose  pointed  tongue  may  verily  stab  to  hurt: 
Let  him  not  be ! 

DAVID 

If  some  mysterious  ail, 
Even  while  we  speak,  should  palsy  all  his  frame, 


214  THE  PKOPHET: 

Yea,  stop  with  sudden  check  the  wheels  of  life, 
The    thing    were   good ;     but    thus    to    stretch    a 

hand, 

And  beckon,  consciously,  the  fate  on  watch  — 
Why  should  it  seem  so  different?     What  sense 
Makes  us  so  thoughtless  when  we  plant  a  life, 
Knowing  the  awful  sanctity  it  holds, 
When  we  would  take  away?     Yet,  if  life  serve, 
Fulfilling  as  it  may  His  will  in  man, 
Then  why  not  death? 

\_Hepauses,  looks  upwards  with  an  expression  of  profound 
abstraction,  and  continues,  as  if  speaking  to  himself. ~] 

I  see  the  poor  beast's  eyes, 
And  that  tremendous  question  hid  in  them, 
I  tried  to  answer.     Like  a  human  life 
I  loved  the  dog's ;    but  when  the  other  came, 
With  certain  madness  in  his  slavering  jaws, 
And  sprang  upon  and  bit  and  tumbled  him, 


A  TRAGEDY.  215 

Then  staggered  forward,  seeking  where  to  die, 
My  hands  were  armed  with  pitying  cruelty ; 
And  he,  so  doomed ,v  forefeeling  all  his  doom, 
Crouched  down,  and,  whimpering,  read  some  fatal 

change 

Set  in  my  face:  .the  liquid,  lustrous  eyes, 
So  sad  with  yearning  after  human  speech, 
With  love  that  never  can  declare  itself, 
So  tender,  now  so  wild  with  dumb  despair, 
Implored  in  vain :    it  was  a  tragedy, 
O  God  !    and  I  the  unrelenting  fate. 
'Twas  kindness,  in  the  shape  of  monstrous  guilt 
Disguised ;    and,  for  his  sake  and  mine,  I  prayed 
That,  through  continuous  being,  he  might  know 
And  pardon. 

Even  so  doth  God  prevent? 
Is  moral  madness,  some  implanted  seed 
Of  harm  to  all,  thus  hindered  in  our  lives, 


21Q  THE  PROPHET  : 

Though  by  the  imcomprehended  blow  should  bleed 
A  thousand  loving  hearts?     I  thought  so  then. 
It  seems  not  much,  when  such  an  aim  demands : 
' '  Let    him     not    be !  "       The    words    themselves 

seduce 

With  seeming  innocence,  —  and  each  a  stab : 
"Let  him  not  be!" 

\_Nimrod  makes  a  sign  to  Simeon  and  Mordecai,   who 
steal  quietly  out  of  the   Council-Room,'] 

I  shrink  from  asking  that 
Which  in  my  secret  soul  I  hope  may  come : 
Why  should  I  shrink?     The  days  wherein  we  live 
Allow  no  Moses-nature  ;    but  for  him 
The  Lord  descended,  counselled  face  to  face, 
And  hallowed  slaughter  with  direct  command. 
Arn  I  so  far  from  ancient  holiness, 
I  dare  not  pray  His  hand  should  touch  the  man 
Who  plots  my  ruin?     How  bring,  otherwise, 


A  TilAGEDY. 

Conditions  which  make  sure  the  covenant? 
Here  lies  a  must:   it  calls  roe  to  subdue 
My  frightened  fancy,  and  forget  the  heart 
Which  tries  to  make  itself  accomplice  :    yes, 
I  Avill  implore  His  vengeance, — but  no  more. 

NIMKOD 

And  should  He  answer,  as  my  faith  expects, 
The  prayer  is  justified  unto  your  soul. 
Your  dread  is  but  the  birth-pang  of  the  law 
Reborn  in  3'ou ;    and  when  in  living  flesh 
It  smiles,  and  waxes  strong,  you  will  forget 
All  save  the  glory. 

DAVID 

Be  your  wrords  fulfilled ! 
The  thing  you  counselled  is  already  done. 
What  in  the  soul  one  fleeting  moment  stands 
Is  asked  beyond  recall :    let  us  go  hence ! 

[Exeunt. 


218  THE  P11OPHET  : 

SCENE  VI. 

A  narrow,  wooded  ravine  between  bluffs  crowned  with  rock. 
Late  twilight.     JONAS  and  HUGH  under  a  tree. 

HUGH 

{Aside,  looking  around  him,} 

A  pokerish  place !      There's  something  in  the  air 
Breeds    thoughts    of    murder;    and  I'm   cold  with 

creeps 

That  pinched  my  flesh,  from  stepping  on  a  spine, 
Wherefrom  the  skull,  so  loosened,  rolled  away. 
Were  but  the  business  done ! 

(Aloud.} 

He's  in  no  haste, 

Or  we  too  hasty :   he  outstays  the  time. 
Once  more  reflect  upon  the  thing  you  do : 
Is  it  well  done? 


A  TRAGEDY.  219 

JONAS 

I  settled  that  at  first. 

There's  safety  in  surprise  :   if  Nimrod  guessed 
The  range  of  popular  impatience,  then, 
I  grant  you,  were  some  hazard  to  be  met. 
But  he  is  idle,  seeks  additional  wives, 
And  feels  as  certain  of  the  power  he  holds 
As  doth  a  man  of  money  in  his  fist, 
While  at  his  back  the  robber's  club  is  raised 

To  stretch  him  dumb. 

.* 

HUGH 

A  strong  comparison! 

JONAS 

It  suits  his  case.      You  think  I  underrate 
The  man's  intelligence  ;    why,  not  a^  whit ! 
Our  lucky  chance  is  his  security, 
Which  we  must  use  before  a  breath  disturb. 


220  THE   PROPHET: 

[A  low  whistle  is  heard. ~\ 
The  Colonel's  signal ! 

[He  whistles  in  answer. ~\ 

Mark  you,  when  he  comes, 
How  perfectly  he  understands  his  work, 
And  sets  all  parts  together  till  they  fit ! 
That's  where  the  lawyer  tells. 

COLONEL      HYDE 

(Approaching.} 

Good  even  to  both ! 

Your  friend  this,  Cousin  Jonas?     Here's  my  hand; 
And  now,  to  business !     Something  must  be  done, 
If  done  at  all,  before  the  week  is  out,  — 
That  is,  as  }*ou  and  I,  and  this  your  friend, 
Desire  to  happen :    something  else  is  sure. 
The  excitement  grows  ;  and  soon  j-our  priest,  fore 
warned, 
Will  organize  resistance  ;   then  comes  war 


A  TRAGEDY.  221 

To  waste  the  property  we  want  to  save. 
Have  you  the  evidence?     A  document 
Were  best ;   but  witnesses  will   answer  here. 

JONAS 

The  written  revelation  which  he  read 
Was  laid  within  the  ark:    that  you  must  seize, 
And  bear  away ;    resistance  then  will  stop. 
Our  witness  must  be  forced,  unwillingly, 
After  arrest :    I  bring  yon  here  the  names 
Of  them  who  can  be  driven  to  testif}^ 
You  understand? 

COLONEL   HYDE 

If  they  the  practice  prove ! 
The  revelation  shows  intent,  no  more, 
And  violates  no  law. 

JONAS 

To  all  of  these 

The  fact  is  patent :    where  you  need  one  case, 
We  give  you  five. 


222  THE  PROPHET: 

COLONEL    HYDE 

As  fingers  of  a  hand 
That   soon   shall    clutch    them !      Tis    enough   for 

law, 

Which  started,  many  accidents  may  chance 
Before  the  process  finds  a  legal  stop. 
And  now,  conditions  !     You  demand  the  power ; 
I,  its  equivalent,  a  part  secured, 
A  part  reserved  for  possible  future  need, 
So  you  gain  influence  — 

JONAS 

And  you  assure 
The  chance  of  power!     Neither  can  promise  all. 

HUGH 
(Aside:) 

Where  two  so  bargain,  there's  not  margin  left 
To  hold  a  third. 


A  THAGEDY.  223 

COLONEL    HYDE 

The  time  for  huckstering' s  gone. 

JONAS 
Missing  my  aim,  comes  little  ;   winning,  all ! 

COLONEL    HYDE 

Then  here's  an  end  of  parley :    let  us  go ! 
This  is  no  place  for  pleasure. 

JONAS 

So,  farewell! 

Your  stipulations  hang  on  my  success. 

[Exit  COLONEL  HYDE.] 

Come,  Hugh !  the  night  is  cloudy :    I  must  seek, 
More  with  my  feet  than  eyes,  the  ticklish  path. 

\_He  moves  away. 

HUGH 

Go  on,  but  slowly.    I  have  dropped  my  knife. 
And  look  for  't  with  my  hands.     Before  you  reach 


224  THE   PROPHET: 

The  slippery  corner  where  we  climb  the  bluff, 
I'll  overtake  you. 

[JONAS  disappears  in  the  gloom.'] 

Shall  I  overtake 

Indeed?     I'm  not  so  sure:   yes,  Colonel  Hyde, 
An  accident,  if  prayed  for,  might  occur ! 
They  told  me  nothing ;  but  the  gift  of  guess 
Kemains  to  me ;    and,  ugh !    'tis  horrible. 
I'll  neither  see  nor  know  !     The  skull  I  kicked, 
Used  as  a  pillow,  would  not  breed  such  dreams. 

\_He  moves  onward,  cautiously.] 

Ha!   what  was  that?     Along  the  darkened  path 

Something,  still  darker,  moves  !     I  hear  no  sound, 

And  yet  the  silence  seems  a  piercing  cry ! 

I  feel  the  lifting  of  my  hair :   I'll  stop 

Both  ears,  shut  e}Tes,  and  think  of  any  thing, 

Till  I  can  count  ten  thousand,  then,  go  on ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  225 

SCENE  VII. 
A  room  in  the  PROPHET'S  house. 

DAVID 

No,  you  are  not  the  same !     The  simple  trust 
Which  found  content  in  what  I  was  —  and  this 
Includes  whatever  more  I  am  become  — 
Hath  left  your  63^68  :  your  tongue  is  silenter : 
You  speak  but  matters  which  compel  3~our  speech, 
And  in  your  waj-s  make  hints  of  things  unsaid. 
I  say  not  this  in  blame :    3^011  cannot  be 
More  than  you  are,  or  other :    I  had  hoped  - 
There  were  a  force  in  faith,  a  warmth  in  love, 
To  hold  your  nature  side  by  side  with  mine, 
And  take  a  larger  property  in  me 
Through  that  which  only  seems  to  lessen  it. 
My  hope  is  vain. 

15 


226  THE   PROPHET: 

RHODA 

Oh!    wait  a  little  while, 
My  husband,  —  as  you  still  and  ever  are. 
I  vexed  you  sore  in  what  I  thought  was  good, 
And  that  seems  evil  which  3-011  ask  of  me : 
It  was  not  so  at  first.     I  lean  on  you 
With    all   my  weight ;    when   you    would   rest,    in 

turn, 

I've  nothing  but  my  simple,  loving  heart, 
To  stay  your  weariness.      I  cannot  urge 
Your  spirit  forward  on  its  loftier  ways ; 
Nor  did  }xm  ask  it,  save  my  faith  be  aid, 
When  first  we  loved.     Take  what  another  brings : 
You  will  not  find  me  selfish :   take  so  much, 
But  keep  jour  heart  for  me. 

DAiTID 

Why,  it  is  yours, 
No  less  than  then !      A  very  ghost  of  change 


A  TRAGEDY.  227 

Is  what  you  fancy.     Shut  your  eyes,  and  call 
My  face  into  your  memory :    'tis  the  same. 

RHODA 

Ah,  David,  David!    I  would  shut  their  sight 

Forever,  could  you  in  my  ears  again 

So  live.     There's  something  in  a  woman's  heart, 

I  think,  so  delicate,  so  soft  a  force, 

That  it  will  cling  like  steel,  nor  feel  a  bruise; 

Yet,  loose  one  fibre,  it  may  bleed  to  death. 

DAVID 

I  have  not  loosed,  nor  will !     Nay,  I  have  grieved, 
Bent  down  to  human  sympathy  with  you, 
And  hoarded  tenderness  you  have  not  claimed, 
To  soothe  you  till  you  see.     What  can  I  more? 
Take  back  the  revelation  and  the  law? 
Reverse  the  advancing  work,  and,  step  by  step, 
Make  all  things  as  they  were?      I  see  your  eyes 


228  THE  PROPHET: 

Lighten  at  this,  as  they  had  nigh  forgot 
To  shine :    I  do  believe  you  wish  so  much ! 

RHODA 

(Slowly.} 

No,  no!      Not  if  your  happiness  depends, — 
Not  less  of  power,  —  not  all  the  work  undone 
Oh,  understand  me,  David ! 

DAVID 

Patience,  first! 

Suspend  your  feeling  till  around  us  springs 
The  newer  life,  then  judge  if  it  be  false. 
But  if,  indeed,  arises  primitive  peace, 
And  all  that  in  the  patriarchal  years 
Made  manhood  pure,  and  womanhood  content, 
Then  I,  by  others,  not  of  mine  own  faith, 
Am  justified  to  }'ou. 


A  TRAGEDY.  229 

SARAH 

(Entering.*) 

Where  have  you  put 

Jonas,  my  husband?      Give  him  back  to  me, 
Or  I  will  raise  a  tumult  in  the  land ! 

DAVID 

Your  husband? 

SARAH 

Ay,  and  I'm  his  only  wife. 
You  have  him  hidden :    set  him  free,  I  say ! 

DAVID 

Wild  words  are  these.      I  know  no  more  of  him 
Than  those  report  who  hear  his  discontent. 
He  hath  not  sought  me  ;  nor  should  I  receive, 
Unless  he  came  with  penitence. 


230  THE  PROPHET: 

SAKAH 

You  Jcnoiv, — 

I'll  not  believe  you !      Since  he  held  to  me, 
Nor  with  strange  women  would  pollute  my  house, 
You  mean  his  ruin !      Help  me,  Prophet's  wife ! 
Although,  perverted  by  his  tongue,  you  take 
Your  rival  home  — 

[RnoDA  starts,  and  turns  away  her  face.~\ 

—  yet  you  are  woman  still, 

And  my  distress  may  somewhat  touch  your  heart. 
Find  out  what  they  have  done  with  him,  give  back, 

And  we  will  go ! 

[She  weeps. 

DAVID 
(Aside} 

It  is  no  acted  fear: 

Has  he  been  taken?     Is  the  answer  come 
To  what  I  prayed,  —  come  swiftly  back  to  me 


A  TRAGEDY.  231 

With  all  its  helpless  woe  of  consequence, 
To  make  the  wish  a  terror? 

RHODA 

In  my  heart 

I  feel  your  grief,  and  pity,  and  will  help, 
Can  you  but  show  the  way. 

DAVID 

But  I  declare 

Mine  ignorance !     I  speak  no  further  word, 
Since  you  believe  not. 

SARAH 

Nay,  I  will  believe ! 

His  fear  was  less  of  you  than  Nimrod  Kraft, 
Whose  tongue  —  but  that  might  anger  if  I  spake : 
I  know  not  what  to  do ! 


232  THE   PROPHET: 

DAVID 

Wh}T,  go  to  him 

Whom  most  you  fear !     But,  stay !    no  evidence 
Of  evil  in  jour  frightened  clamor  lies. 
Come  with  me,   and  confess  the  things  3-011  know. 

[Exit  with  her. 

RHODA 

(Solus.) 

Already?     My  prophetic  heart  declared, 
Then  called  itself  a  liar!     Not  dare  tell? 
Such  cowardice  conceals  a  little  love !  » 
The  winter  sun,  that  for  a  distant  land 
Makes  summer,  cannot  turn  all  warmth  away, 
And  slowly  comes  again :   let  me  not  be 
A  frozen  field,  but  gather  every  beam 
He  may  allow  me !     Oh !  I'll  prove  my  right 
By  life  or  death ;  but  now,  on  this  alone, 
I  dare  not  brood.     That  woman,  wild  with  fear, 


A  TRAGEDY.  233 

And  charged  with  reason  for  it,  which  alarms 
Because  unspoken  —  something  lurks  behind, 
A  further  outrage  to  be  sanctified, 
A  guilt  thrust  under  David's  innocence  ! 
The  thought  confuses  me :    I  only  feel 
The  danger  closing  round  us  like   a  mist, 
Cold,  formless,   chilling  to  the  very  bone ; 
And  he  is  helpless,  save  I  love  him  still. 


ACT  V. 

SCENE    I. 

The  street  in  front  of  the  PROPHET'S  house.     PETER  at  the 
gate,  talking  with  two  citizens. 

FIRST   MAN 

IT'S  floating  loose,  as  one  might  say :   it  comes 
From  everywhere  and  nowhere. 

SECOND    MAN 

That's  the  way 

To  make  things  happen.      Say  they'll  surely  be, 
And  all  the  causes  of  them  set  to  work. 

FIRST    MAN 

I'd  check ;   you'd  let  alone :  which  starts  a  cause, 
Or  hinders  it  ?     There's  talk  because  there's  fear. 
What  says  the  Prophet? 

234 


A  TRAGEDY.  235 

PETER 

Nothing!     If  I  asked, 

And  he  should  answer,  something  would  be  said; 
But  that  we  neither  do. 

SECOND    MAN 

Until  he  calls, 

Confessing  danger,  in  your  pockets  sheathe 
Your  restless  hands,  and  whistle  back  your  faith ! 

Their  name  is  not  yet  Legion. 

[Exit. 

FIRST    MAN 

No,  nor  yours 

A  watchman  of    the  Lord!     There  are  no  signs 
Of  Jonas  yet ;    but  people  think  him  fled, 
And.  plotting  mischief  in  the  enemy's  camp. 
The  Twelve  hold  council :   knowing  these  reports, 
Which  make  alarm,  they  have  not  silenced  them ; 
And  thus  suspicion  grows. 


236  THE  PROPHET: 

PETEK 

I  see  it  does. 

FIRST    MAN 

You    keep    close-mouthed :     I    do   believe   you're 

primed 
With  far  more  knowledge  than  you  let  leak  out. 

PETER 

I'm  honest  only:   ignorance  need  not  talk. 

FIRST    MAN 

As  I  do,  you  would  say? 

[Exit. 

PETER 

He's  in  a  huff, 

But  can't  help  counting  me  the  wiser  man. 
Why,  shut   your  mouth,  and  shrewdly  move   your 
head, 


A  TRAGEDY.  237 

And  stare  right  hard  at  him  who  speaks  to  you ; 

And,  when  he  says,  "It  is  so!"   answer,  "  H'rn, 

Is  it,  indeed?"  —  and  there's  your  capital 

For  thriving  business  in  the  wholesale  trade 

Of  leading  people.      If  I'd  half  a  gift 

To  save  from  awkward  usage  of  their  minds, 

I'd  make  them  think  me  great. 

RHODA 

(Coming  from  the  house.') 

What  have  you  heard? 

This  is  no  time  for  keeping  back  the  truth. 
There's  danger  somewhere. 

PETER 

One  was  sure  of  that, 

The  t'other  not ;   but  all  I  know  is  this,  — 
Some  say  the  Gentiles  mean  to  interfere, 
Upset  the  Prophet's  law,  and  him,  the  head. 


238  THE  PKOPHET: 

Make  chargeable  for  what  the  others  do. 

But  that  they  can't :    we're  drifting  on  one  raft ; 

And  none  but  fools  would  ever  try  to  take 

The  helmsman  prisoner,  till  they  smashed  the  crew. 

RHODA 

And  all  are  faithful? 

PETER 

Well  —  they  think  they  are. 

RHODA 
This  was  my  fear:   you  mean  that  all  are  not? 

PETER 

It  comes  of  management:   the  priest,  and  her  — 
Each  is  alone  a  match  for  any  law ; 
And,  if  the}7  work  together  — 


A  TRAGEDY.  239 

RHODA 

Nay,  they  must! 

You  are  worse  troubled  than  you  care  to  show ; 
But  I'll  not  question  more.     One  way  to  help - 
The  hardest  way  that  ever  woman  walked  — 
Is  set  before  me,  and  I  take  it  now! 

[Exit. 

PETER 

I  don't  know  as  I'm  gladder  that  she  went, 
Or  sorrier  that  she  seemed  to  think  my  wits 
Of  small  account.     Here's  one  that,  as  I  guess, 
She  means  to  pump  as  deeply  as  he'll  let. 
He  comes  this  way;    he's  got  a  blunted  axe, 
And  I  must  turn  the  grindstone. 

NIMROD 
(Entering.} 

Have  you  seen 
Sarah,  the  wife  of  Jonas,  pass  this  way? 


240  THE  PKOPHET: 

PETER 

Not  I. 

NIMROD 

She  still  may  come.     Wait  not  for  me, 
Or  any  officer,  but  hold  her  fast! 

PETER 
There  must  be  two  of  me,  to  do  so  much. 

NI-MROD 

Large-boned,  and  strong  of  arm,  she  is,  in  fact. 
You'll  find  a  watchman  yonder  by  the  wood ; 
But  scatter,  lest  she  take  another  path! 

PETER 

Why,  what's  the  row? 

NIMROD 

No  more  than  you  have  heard. 
Put  what  you  know,  and   what  you   think   might 
be, 


A  TRAGEDY.  241 

Together,  and  you'll  find  disturbance  comes 
Through  her  alone,  and  she  can  silence  it. 
The  Prophet  and  the  Twelve  have  that  to  ask, 

Which,  having  answered,  she  disarmes  herself. 

[Exit. 

PETER 

No  use  of  pumping  there !     The  water  comes 
Just  even  with  the  spout,  and  then  it  stops. 

SCENE   II. 

A  room  in  LIVIA'S  house. 

LIVIA 

(Slowly  pacing  the  floor,  with  a  letter  in  her  hand). 
Renounced,  and  half  forgotten,  still  the  world 
Has  power  to  hurt !     I  know  the  mirror  false 
Which  makes  a  grim  distortion  of  my  face, 
And  yet  it  pains  me  while  I  look.     What  creed 
Is  theirs,  to  whom  my  love  gives  more  offence, 

16 


242  THE  PROPHET: 

Man's  habit  broken,  than  hath  done  my  faith, 
To  them  a  fatal  heresy  of  soul ! 
Those  Pagans,  to  their  monstrous  idol  bowed,  — 
Once  Moloch  named,  but  now  Society,  — 
Defile,  when  turned  to  their  forgotten  Lord, 
His  altars  with  false  fire.     Ah !  had  I  found 
One  pure  male  soul  among  them,  not  ashamed 
To  seek,  believe,  aspire,  and  overcome,  — 
With  love's  white  heat  to  clarify  my  own, 
And  dear  dependence  on  my  differing  force,  — 
I  had  remained !     But  thus,  forbade  to  seek, 
Insulted  by  insipid  tenderness, 
That  into  weakness  fain  would  coddle  power, 
That    shuts  men's  brains   lest  ours  should  be  con 
fused, 

And  hides  strong  aberrations  of  the  sex, 
Which,  knowing,  we  might  guide  to  purity, — 
Wiry,  what  was  left  me  but  a  fierce  escape? 
Thank  Heaven,  the  line  is  passed !     I've  not  to  do 


A  TRAGEDY.  243 

With    threatened    shame,  or  vain  self-questioning, 

more ; 
I  give  my  being  for  a  large  return. 

[Enter  RHODA :   both  stand  for  a  moment,  looking   a> 
each  other,  in  silence.] 

Forgive  me,  Rhoda,  if  I  show  surprise ; 
Forgive  me,  also,  that  my  doubt  deterred 
The  due  approach,  which  now  your  coming  here 
So  gently  chides ! 


RHODA 

Do  not  mistake  my  heart, 
Or  set  it  lower,  for  the  thing  I  do. 
Save  you  perceive  me  as  I  verily  am, 
I  cannot  speak  my  message,  or  may  mar. 
I  come,  by  sore  necessity  constrained, 
Or  I  had  never  come. 


244  THE  PKOPHET  : 

% 

LI  VI A 

(Aside,) 

Her  words  awake 

A  new  surprise :    is  this  the  fond,  weak  wife 
I  thought  her,  petulant  instead  of  proud, 
And  simply  sulking  over  fancied  loss? 

(Aloud.) 

Your  speech  is  bitterer,  surely,  than  you  mean ; 
But,  seeming  in  the  wrrong,  I  must  endure. 

RHODA 

Be  not  offended !      I  must  needs  suppose 

Some  curious  resemblance  in  our  hearts, 

Else  —  yet  it  must  be  said !  —  you  had  not  loved. 

Let  there  be  more,  in  this,  —  that,  loving  him, 

You  know  no  better  service  of  your  life 

Than  guarding  his. 


A  TRAGEDY.  245 

LIVIA 

There  read  me  by  yourself! 
I'll  not  explain  my  passion,  since  the  words 
Might  sting  with  needless  pangs.      I  thought  you 

weak, 

And  find  you  strong :    thus  silence  is  enough. 
You  come  because  of  him ;   forget  the  rest, 
For  partnership  or  rivalry  in  us 
Has  here  one  aim. 

EHODA 

I  feel  before  I  see, 

And  that  which  shakes  me  with  continual  dread 
Dissolves  when  I  would  closelier  scan  its  form. 
The  missing  man,  his  wife's  most  real  alarm, 
The  Gentile  rumors,  threatening  David's  place, 
If  not  his  freedom,  and  the  ruin  of  all,  — 
These  have  a  link  which  must  be  found  and  cleft. 
Help  me,  therein:    I  am  not  quick  of  thought, 


246  THE  PBOPHET: 

But  I  will  follow,  letting  you  direct. 

You  cannot,  surely,  unobservant  be 

Of  each  least  danger,  when  you  watch  for  him ! 

LIVIA 

Less  I  may  see,  because  I  fear  it  less 
Than  you  do.      He  must  triumph  as  a  chief, 
Ere  love  can  peacefully  possess  his  life. 
Unhelping  there,  love  in  its  duty  fails, 
And  all  too  anxiously  may  guard  itself; 
For  opportunity  wears  danger's  face 
When  first  it  comes ;    and  now  it  may  be  so. 
What  you  declare,  I  knew :    I  muse  thereon, 
To  save,  if  the  occasion  shrinks  to  that; 
But,  if  it  broaden,  to  exalt  as  well ! 

RHODA 

And  you  dela}^  ?   to  gain  I  know  not  what ! 
How  can  you  thus  so  coldly,  proudly  talk 


A  TEAGEDY.  247 

Of  triumph  won  by  risk?      Ah!   yes,  I  see 
My  heart's  distress  is  folly  unto  yours : 
I  am  a  woman,  and  you  know  me  not. 
I  show  you  all  I  dread ;   I  give  you  chance 
To  set  yourself  above  me  in  desert, 
And  on  the  remnant  of  my  bliss  to  feed, 
And  you  —  seek  "  opportunity  "  ! 

[5/te  turns  to  leave. 

LIVIA 

Not  yet,  — 

You  do  mistake !  and  I  should  only  wound 
By  picking  words  more  nicely :    all  are  edged 
Which    we    two   use.      Twice    have    you  made  re 
proach, 
Perhaps  not  meaning ;    I  will  let  it  pass, 

And  answer,   since  I  pity  your  alarm, 

With  offered  help  :    you  may  accept  or  leave. 

How  much  of  faith  in  Nimrod,  the  high-priest, 

Do  you  preserve? 


248  THE  PROPHET: 

RHODA 

(After  a  pause.} 

If  one's  right  hand  could  be 
Unfaithful  to  the  will?   for  so  it  seems. 
But  service,  then,  would  measure  treachery; 
And  that's  too  monstrous ! 

(Aside.} 

Ah  !  what  have  I  said  ? 

Her  words  provoked  the  doubt  I  should  conceal, 
And  this  may  do  a  mischief. 

LIVIA 

Tis  enough. 

I  know  the  thought,  that,  frightened,  hides  its  face 
Even  from  itself;   but  I  will  look  on  mine. 
'Tis  well  you  came  to  me :    some  sheltered  plants 
First  note  the  distant  changes  of  the  air, 
And  here  —  the  thing  is  possible :   I  thought 


A  TRAGEDY.  249 

It  might  be  later  —      Ha !    if  it  be  now, 
I  must  to  work ! 


RHODA 


Give  me  a  little  part 
When  you  have  found  it !    so  much  is  my  right. 

LIVIA 

Ay,  ay  !     I  promise  :   now,  I  pray  you,  go  ! 
For  Ms  sake,  then ! 

[Exit  RHODA.] 

Oh !   she  may  have  her  share ; 
But  I,  that  dare  and  save  and  win  and  crown, 
Shall  sit  by  him  as  Zion's  rightful  queen ! 


250  THE  PROPHET: 

SCENE   III. 

The    Council-Room.     NIMROD,   SIMEON,  and    MORDECAI 
present. 

SIMEON 

I  find  them  more  disturbed  than  timorous ; 
Still  in  good  heart,   the   most:   but  that  we  keep 
Continued  silence,  while  the  threats  increase, 
Bewilders  them. 

NIMROD 

'Tis  time,   indeed,  to  act ; 
For  our  intent  must  be  conveyed  to  all, 
Or  we  shall  fail  in  secret  unit}'. 
The  Prophet  halts :   I've  purposelj7  left  free 
His  spirit,  praying  for  a  path  revealed 
Where  we,  between,  the  waves  on  either  hand, 
Dry-shod  may  walk :    the  revelation  lags. 
If  unto  me,  less  gifted,  were  transferred 


A  TRAGEDY.  251 

The  leader's  office,  I  should  exercise 
With  human  wit,  perchance,  but  also  will 

To  wring  success  from  stubborn  circumstance. 

.,- 

SIMEON 

Oh !   were  it  so  transferred !     Can  you  not  claim, 
If  we  sustain  you? 

NIMROD 

No,  I  will  not  claim ! 
What  my  devotion  and  obedience  earn 
Should  I  receive. 

[J.  knock  is  heard:  MORDECAI  goes  to  the  door.    As 
he  opens  it,  LIVIA  is  seen.~\ 

(Aside.} 

But  to  invite  the  trust, 
So  that  the  giver  thinks  he  gives  unasked, 


252  THE  PROPHET: 

Is  always  lawful.     What  she  seeks  is  plain : 
I've  marked  her  keen  ambition,  and  can  use. 

(Aloud.) 
Admit  the  sister. 

[LiviA  comes  forward  to  the  table."] 

Opportunely  come ! 

And  hence  the  rules  of  council  we  suspend. 
If  you  have  knowledge,  or  }'our  woman's  wit 
Works,  with  result,  for  our  deliverance, 
Be  welcome,  speak,  and  we  shall  gladly  hear! 

LIVIA 

My  knowledge  is  not  more,  my  zeal  not  less, 
Than  yours  ;    my  skill  to  work  with  minor  arts 
Which  must  prevail  with  individual  wills, 
Ere,  as  a  bod}T,  all  are  moved  one  way, 
Perchance  as  great:    so  much  is  known  to  you. 
This  is  no  time  for  testing  special  power, 
When  any  weapon,  be  it  wielded  well, 


A  TRAGEDY.  253 

Becomes  a  rightful  arm.      Our  danger  lies 
In  suffering  our  young  order  to  be  jarred 
Too  suddenly,  or  slowly  undermined 
By  such  defence  as  leaves  the  end  a  doubt. 
Between  the  two  we  need  steer  carefully. 
You  have  the  rudder ;   give  an  oar  to  me. 

NIMROD 

You  apprehend  the  crisis,  and  have  guessed 
Why,  measuring  it,  we  have  not  spoken  yet. 
'Tis  purposeless  extremity  of  fear 
Begets  submission :   what  were  best  to  do, 
Too  soon  declared,  is  lightly  criticised ; 
But,  now  they  cry  for  guidance,  we  present 
Calm  fronts  of  unperturbed  authority. 
We  crave  to  act:  the  Prophet  only  fails 
In  revelation,  which  may  be  denied, 
If  human  craft  suffice :    or,  unto  you 
Hath  he  declared  his  will? 


254  THB  PROPHET: 

LIVIA 

Not  unto  me, 
Surety,  ungifted  with  commissioned  power. 

NIMROD 

Yet  that  pretence  of  law  which  threatens  us 
Concerns  you  most.      Our  body  is  not  yet 
The  giant  it  shall  be :    the  covenant, 
Now  made  an  accusation,   must  be  kept 
By  secret  truth,  the  evidence  held  back, — 
So,  nothing  proven,   all  their  charges  fail. 
We  best  oppose  by  seeming  to  submit. 
Unaided,  they  examine :    not  a  tongue 
Profanes  the  mysteries  of  Zion's  house ; 
And,  once  so  foiled,  our  skill  and  industry, 
Our  peace  and  order,  only,  noised  abroad, 
They  will  not  haste  to  court  a  second  blame. 

SIMEON 
The  wisdom  of  the  serpent  speaks  in  that ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  255 

LIVIA 

(Aside.) 

And  leaves  the  serpent's  slime ! 
(Aloud.) 

You,  then,   accept 
Their    whole    procedure,  —  law,    and    court,    and 

judge, 

And  twelve  such  fools  as  never  heard  of  us, 
Arrest,  and  trial?     First,  of  course,  they  seize 
The  Prophet! 

NIMROD 

Me,  instead !      I  will  so  lead 
Suspicion  from  its  present  course  in  them. 
My  craft  of  brain,  that  cannot  reach  his  gift 
Of  prayer  and  vision,  hath  its  office  here : 
It  will  exalt  my  soul  with  holy  joy 
To  triumph  o'er  the  Gentiles ! 


256  THE  PROPHET: 

LIVIA 

Prophecy 

Is  that :   the  power  awakes  in  you :   I  thought 
Your    gift   was    "craft    of  brain."      Why,  'tis-   a 

scheme 

Where  every  wheel  must  with  a  hundred  ifs 
Be  cogged,  or  none  of  them  will  bite !     The  law 
Takes  any  shape  it  likes :   by  prejudice 
It  moves  the  eleven,  and  wearies  out  the  one 
Within  whose  brain  some  dream  of  justice  lives. 
Yes,  were  our  danger,  law !     But,  while  you  wait 
Your  own  arrest  in  all  decorous  form, 
Whose  hand  shall  stay  the  ruffian  horde  behind 
From  force  and  outrage? 

NIMROD 

Woman's  brain  is  quick 

To  make  a  part  the  whole,  and  for  her  wits 
Work  easy  triumph.     I  but  told  you  part. 


A  TRAGEDY.  257 

LIVIA 
(Aside.) 

Too  quick,  indeed!      I  should  have  cheated  him 
By  feigned  acceptance,  till  I  learned  the  whole. 
He  may  cajole  by  truth,  as  others  do 
By  falsehood. 

(Aloud.) 

Nay,  if  hastily  I  spake, 
The  cause  lay  deeper  than  my  woman's  brain. 

NIMROD 

(Smiling.) 

I  saw  it  beating,  faster  than  your  words. 
I  but  consider,  not  decide :    the  plan 
Waits  for  the  sanction  of  our  Church's  head, 
Which  he,  in  strange  uncertainty,  withholds. 
If  to  the  movement  of  his  mind  your  own 
May  give  direction,  bid  him  not  delay ; 

17 


258  THE  PROPHET: 

Or,  still  irresolute,  set  free  my  hands, 
To  work  for  him. 


MORDECAI 

The  Twelve  are  as  one  man, 


SIMEON 
The  priest  speaks  for  us. 

NIMROD 


And  the  people  wait. 

Decide  to  help,  where  all  is  known  and  weighed ; 
Or,  knowing  little,  work  your  random  will, 
And  bring  us  ruin ! 


LIVIA 


You  would  weigh  me  down 
With  much  capacity.      If  you  believed 
My  power,  you  would  not  threaten  such  result, 
But  coax  and  flatter  me  to  shift  my  part. 


A  TRAGEDY.  259 

Deal  fairly,  priest,  and  you  shall  have  my  aid ! 
You're  certain  of  success :   3^011  only  need 
Unhindered  leadership  (the  Prophet's  place 
Transferred,  in  seeming,  that  he  'scape  the  risk), 
And  then,  submissive  where  they  look  for  strife, 
You  will  confound  the  Gentiles !      Far  too  bold 
For  any  brain  but  yours  !      Were  not  your  blood 
So  passionless,  your  keen  intelligence 
So  coldly  watchful,  I  should  doubt  the  end ; 

But  now  —  I  go  to  do  the  work  you  set! 

[Exit. 

MORDECAI 

That's  a  beginning ! 

SIMEON 

How  you  bent  her  will ! 
I  never  saw  the  like. 

NIMROD 

Ay,  ay  !      The  power 
Sometimes  is  with  me :    may  it  oftener  come ! 


260  THE  PROPHET  : 

(Aside.) 

The  work  I  set?      She'll  do  the  opposite, 
Or  else  her  tying  candor  lies  again. 
"  So  passionless  !  "  —  ha  !  ha  !     The  time  may  come 
When  she  shall  say  of  me,  "Too  passionate!" 
I  think  I've  striven  to  turn  away  the  storm ; 
But,  if  they  will  not  see,  so  let  it  burst ! 
They're  all  mistaken :   'tis  no  thunder-cloud 
That  rattles  half  an  hour,  and  rolls  away ; 
But  something  that  will  tear  us  from  our  roots, 
And  sweep  us  far  into  the  wilderness. 
My  own  device  might  gain  a  little  grace 
To  dull  the  blow:   yet  our  prosperity 
Tempts,  as  upon  a  counter  scattered  gold ;     . 
And,  though  the  first  wave  strike  us  harmlessly, 
A  second  one  will  follow.      Better  now 
Set  matters  where  they  needs  must  terminate! 
I've  learned  to  rale,  even  while  obeying  most ; 
And  I  shall  surely  learn  to  bind  and  seal 
By  revelation,  as  my  gifts  increase. 


A  TRAGEDY.  261 

SCENE   IV. 

In  front  of  the  temple.  A  number  of  people  collected; 
DAVID,  NIMROD,  and  various  members  of  the  TWELVE, 
among  them.  LIVIA  moves  from  one  to  another  of  the 
restless,  excited  groups. 

A    MAN 

They  should  have  armed  us  first! 

A   SECOND 

The  priest  is  shrewd 

To  keep  his  knowledge  till  it's  time  to  use. 
He  has  something  ready :  mark  his  quick  gray  eye  ! 

, 

A    THIRD 

. 

The  secrecy  they  lay  upon  us  means 

That  we  may  be  examined :   more  than  that 

It's  hard  to  guess. 


262  THE  PKOPHET: 

LIVIA 

(  Whispering.') 

Keep  you  the  peace,  unless 
They  would  arrest  the  Prophet,  —  then  resist ! 

[She  passes  on. 

A    MESSENGER 

(To  DAVID.) 

There  are  but  four:   their  head  is  Sheriff  Hyde. 
Our  watchmen  stopped  them  at  the  wood  below, 
And  now  are  leading  hither:    they  would  speak 
With  you,  and  with  the  Twelve. 

DAVID 

Go,  bid  them  come ! 

NIMROD 

Have  you  considered  our  united  mind? 
Here  is  it  urgent  that  a  single  voice 
Declare  the  answer. 


A  TRAGEDY.  263 

DAVID 

First  must  come  demand, 

Which,  save  its  words  and  full  intent  were  known, 
We  cannot  meet  beforehand.      I  will  wait. 

NIMKOD 

This  only,  let  me  speak!      Exact  delay 
For  consultation,  when  demand  is  made : 
They  are  but  four ;   yet  each  doth  represent 
A  hundred  more  in  ambush ! 

DAVID 

Are  you  sure 
Of  Hugh's  fidelity? 

NIMKOD 

As  of  his  life ! 

And  whether  Jonas  did  escape  to  them, 
Or  by  the  Lord  was  silenced,  —  either  way 


264  THE   PROPHET  : 

He  served  us  first:    so  far  have  we  been  helped 

To  their  discomfiture ! 

[Movement  in  the  crowd.  The  people  fall  back,  and 
COLONEL  HYDE,  toith  three  companions,  guarded  on 
each  side  by  the  watchmen  of  Zion,  come  forward.] 

COLONEL    HYDE 

Which  man  of  3Tou 
Calls  himself  Prophet? 

DAVID 

Chosen  of  the  Lord 
Am  I,  and  Prophet  called  by  these,  my  flock. 

COLONEL    HYDE 

You're  he  I  seek.      The  law,  that  freedom  gives 

To  manifold  belief,  now  takes  alarm 

At  vicious  usages,  by  you  proclaimed 

As  holy.      You  are  called  to  meet  the  charge 

Of  wilful  crime,  with  others,  whom  to  this 

You  have  persuaded. 

[Murmurs  among  the  people.] 


A  TRAGEDY.  265 

DAVID 

And  should  I  resist 
Such  intermeddling  with  permitted  faith? 

COLONEL    HYDE 

Though  loud  report  of  your  licentious  lives 
Commands  my  action,  we  are  armed  with  proof, 
And  here  resistance  would  be  added  crime. 
Will  3'ou  submit?    or  shall  I  raise  my  voice, 
And  call  the  County's  power? 

[Tumultuous  movement  among  the  people.'] 

* 

VOICES 

Go  back  !   go  back  ! 
We  guard  the  Prophet !     Touch  him  if  you  dare  ! 

NIMROD 

Be  quiet,  brethren !     Law  should  not  be  rash 
To  hasten  conflicts  which  she  might  allay. 


266  THE  PROPHET 

You,  Colonel  Hyde,  have  spoken :   we  demand  . 
A  space  for  counsel  ere  we  make  reply. 
Come  three  days  hence  — 


COLONEL  HYDE 


One  day,  no  more ! 

[Struggle  and  confusion  on  the  outskirts  of  the  crowd : 
mingled  voices  and  cries."] 

SARAH 

Let  go ! 
I  have  done  nothing!     Let  me  free,  I  say! 

DAVID 

Hold,  hold! 

COLONEL   HYDE 

My  cousin's  wife! 


A  TRAGEDY.  267 

SARAH 

(Rushing  forward    wildly,    her    hair    streaming    over    her 
shoulders.) 

You  have  not  seen 

Jonas  ?     No  need  to  answer  that :   he's  dead ! 
Oh,  save  me !  take  me  with  you ! 

NIMROD 

(Aside.) 

Cursed  luck! 

I  thought  she  had  escaped,  but  this  is  worse. 

COLONEL  HYDE 

What  means  your  terror? 

SARAH 

Jonas  never  came 

From  you !     I  thought  him  held,  at  first,  and  made 
Vain  outcries ;   then  I  feared  for  mine  own  life, 
And  hid  till  now.     Upon  my  way  to  you 


268  THE  PBOPHET: 

Came  two,  and  held  me  fast  with  violent  hands, 
The  Prophet's  serving-man  — 


Peter? 


DAVID 

It  cannot  be ! 
SARAH 


—  and  one  the  high-priest  often  calls 
To  do  his  secret  work. 


NIMROD 


I  ordered  them. 

The  woman's  grief,  the  Prophet's  sympathy 
Therewith,  gave  me  desire  to  question  her. 
If  thus  our  kindness  frightens,   let  her  go, 
And  you  may  test  the  value  of  the  tongue 
That  speaks  such  folly! 


A  TKAGEDY.  269 

COLONEL   HYDE 

Sarah,  come  with  us ! 
(To  DAVID.) 
To-morrow,   at  this  hour,   expect  me  here ! 

[Exit  with  SARAH,  his  companions,  and  the  watchmen. 

NIMROD 

(Aside.} 

There  go  the  Gentile  torches,   all  ablaze, 
Which  shall  consume  the  temple ! 

DAVID 

Peter,  here 

If  still  you  owe  me  service ! 

[Exit. 

LIVIA 

So,  high-priest, 

The  court  is  opened,   and  the  jury  called; 
Only  the  culprits  have  not  reached  the  bar! 


270  THE  PROPHET: 

NIMROD 

Some  walls  are  built  with  clear  design  to  stand 
For  ages  ;   but  the  finger  of  a  child 
May  pick  a  stone  out  ere  the  mortar  dries, 
And  leave  a  crevice  for  the  wedge  of  frost 
To  slowly  split  the  fabric.     You  exult 
As  such  a  child  might  do. 

LIVIA 
(Aside.) 

He  frightens  me! 

SCENE    V. 

Sunset.     An  outer  street   of  the  city.      A  number  of  men 
assembled:   PETER  in  the  midst. 

SEVERAL    VOICES 

We  will  not  yield ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  271 

A   MAN 

The  Lord  should  send  a  sign, 
If  ever,  now,  when  to  His  flock  dismayed 
The  wolf  comes  howling ! 

PETER 

'Tisn't  just  the  howl. 

He  means  to  pounce  upon  our  leader-ram, 
Then  lazily  bite  our  throats  from  day  to  day. 
The  priest  says,   "Let  him!"    But  you  run  down 

hill 
To  law,  and  up  steep  rocks  climb  out  again. 

VOICES 
Ay,  that  is  truth  ! 

PETER 

And  he,  to  boot,  mistakes 
Through  over-sharpness.     Doing  what  he  bade, 


272  THE  PEOPHET  : 

I  harmed  the  Prophet  in  the  sheriff's  eyes ; 
And  that  wild  woman  will  improve  the  tale, 
Until  they  see  —  the  Lord  knows  what  —  in  him. 
I'm  bound  to  make  my  blunder  good. 

LIVIA 

{Approaching.) 

You  are ! 

I'll  show  you  how :   there's  little  time  to  lose. 
How  many  here  have  arms? 

VOICES 

I  have  !     And  I ! 

LIVIA 

And,  had  you  not  the  hearts  of  fighting  men, 
You    would    not    answer   thus.       They    think    us 

weak 

Or  timorous :   let  them  come  in  that  conceit ! 
One  sharp  repulse  will  so  confuse  their  plan 


A  TKAGEDY.  273 

That  time  is  gained;    and  what  protection  lies 
In  martial  garrisons  the  nation  plants, 
For  need,  along  the  lawless,  wild  frontier, 
May  come  to  aid  us,  or  to  stand  between. 

VOICES 
That's  to  the  point !       Such  talk  we  understand. 

LIVIA 

• 

Shall  we  submit  to  scarce  the  name   of  law, 
Much    less   its    substance?       Who   are    they   that 

shake 

The  sword   of  justice,  which  would  pierce   them 
selves 

If  they  let  go  the  hilt?     What!    suffer  them 
To  seize  at  will,  until  our  strength  is  shorn, 
And  Zion's  riches  to  their  hands  lie  bare? 
Not  you  !      I  know  }'ou  ! 

18 


274  THE  PROPHET: 

VOICES 

No,  we'll  fight  them  first! 

LIVIA 

You  will !     And,  if  no  man  dares  lead  you  forth, 
I'll  be  your  captain :    there  are  Jaels  yet ! 
Let  each  his  neighbor  summon ;   scour  your  guns, 
Run  even  your  clock- weights  into  bullet-moulds, 
And  tell  your  wives  that  milk  from  manly  veins 
Looks  worse  than  blood ! 

\_SJie  beckons  to  one  of  the  men  following  her,  who  comes 
forward,  and  unrolls  a  banner,  with  a  golden  lion 
on  a  red  ground.] 

Behold  our  banner  spread, 

Yours  and  the  Prophet's !      See  that  first  it  float 
Amid  the  smoke,  which,  when  it  drifts  away, 
Leaves  victory  behind !      You  want  a  song, 
To  set  the  courage  of  your  hearts  in  words, 


A  TEAGEDY.  275 

And  bid  it  ring  beneath  the  echoing  heaven. 
Hear,  then !      I've  made  it  for  you,  and  will  sing ! 

[She  sings.'] 

» 

Children  of  Zion, 

Crouch  as  a  lion, 
Eager  to  fly  on 

Foes  that  deride ! 
Rise  for  the  Prophet ! 
Arm  for  the  Prophet !  - 
Fight  for  the  Prophet ! 

Fling  his  banner  wide  ! 

ALL 

(Enthusiastically  repeating  the  last  lines,  as  chorus.) 

Fight  for  the  Prophet ! 
Fling  his  banner  wide ! 

[The  men  gradually  disperse."] 

LIVIA 

(Solus.) 

I  live  at  last !      'Twas  more  than  love  inspired 
This  counter-plot,  though  love  like  mine  were  more 


276  THE  PROPHET  : 

Than  cause  and  needful  spur.      I  live  and  move, 
Bid  others  live  and  play  the  parts  I  set, 
Concentrate  petty  forces  to  one  end 
Which  grandly  must  succeed,  or  grandly  fail,  — 
But,  either  way,  I  act !      The  top  of  life, 
Methinks,  is  action,  when  the  field  is  broad  ; 
For  power  of  nature  cannot  truly  be, 
Till  it  is  proved  on  others. 

Ah,  he  comes ! 

My  dream  was  that  I  work  for  him  alone : 
Why,  since  both  power  and  passion  wed,  I  do ! 

[DAVID  approaches. ,] 

Lift  up  your  front,  my  Prophet!      'Tis  the  eve 
Of  strength  secured :    the  test,  the  hostile  charge, 
Draw  near  the  moment  when  they  sink  in  dust ; 
And,  after  one  dim  bar  of  cloud,  your  sun 
Will  hold  the  sky ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  277 

DAVID 

'Tis  dusk :   the  sun  is  down. 
Old  habit  says  the  day  will  dawn  again 
After  a  certain  darkness :    have  you  thought, 
What  if  it  should  not  dawn?      'Tis  possible. 

LIVIA 

Yes,  when  no  triumph  calls  the  daylight  up  ; 
When  human  souls,  in  all  God's  world,  are  dumb ; 
When  hope  is  choked,  and,  like  neglected  fire, 
The  spark  of  prayer  dies  out,  and  even  love 
Awaits  no  morrow  sweeter  than  to-day,  — 
Then,  then,  'twere  possible ! 

DAVID 

Can  light  be  drawn 

Even  from  the  spirit,  as  the  warmth  from  blood? 
You  seem  to  shine,  as  3^011  possessed  the  glow 
I  thought  was  mine:   you  see  where  I  am  dark; 


278  THE  PROPHET: 

And,  where  I  walk  confounded,  you  rejoice. 
Whence  comes  your  confidence  ?    What  near  success 
Fore-glorifies  you? 

LIVIA 

Pardon,  if  to  you 

I  still  keep  silent !      Faith,  no  less  than  love, 
May  have  its  budded  secret,  soon  to  bloom. 
For  some  few  rapid  hours  endur^  }^>ur  place, 
As  now,  while  others  work,  —  I  least,  perhaps, 
Though  most  in  will :    the  lower  necessity 
Is  ours  to  meet,  yea,  ours  to  overcome. 

DAVID 

They  wait  my  word. 

LIVIA 

I  know  it.     They  best  learn 

Now,  when- their  minds  are  sore  perturbed,  to  wait. 
Can  you  bestow  on  clouded  eyes  and  brains 


A  TRAGEDY.  279 

Your  perfect   gift?   or  justify  each  step, 
Greater  than  Moses,   to  the  murmuring  throng? 
The  human  with  the  godlike  essence  strives 
In    you ;     and,  when    your    soul    would    sanction 

straight, 

The  heart  stands  up  in  protest :   heed  it  not, 
While  others  can  be  merely  man ! 

DAVID 

Go,  then ! 

I  cannot  meet  your  words,   and  will  not  ask 
What  hope   sheds  brightness  on  your  face.     Fare 
well ! 

LIVIA. 

Farewell ! 

[Exit  DAVID.] 

And  for  the  last  time,  half-apart 
And  half-acknowledged,  do  I  say,  Farewell ! 


280  THE  PROPHET: 

SCENE   VI. 

Night.  A  room  in  the  PROPHET'S  house.  DAVID, 
seated  at  a  desk,  with  his  back  towards  RHODA.  He 
opens  papers,  looks  at  them  mechanically,  lays  them  aside, 
and  at  last  rests  his  head  upon  his  hand.  RHODA  sits  in 
another  part  of  the  room,  with  her  hands  clasped  in  her 
lap.  Once  or  twice  she  lifts  her  head,  looks  at  DAVID,  and 
seems  about  to  speak. 

DAVID 

(Turning  suddenly.') 
You're  watching  me ! 

RHODA 

Nay,  waiting,  and,  besides, 

Wishing  that  3-011  would  speak.     To-day's  affairs 
Leave  me  in  doubt  of  what  the  morrow  brings. 
There's  something  in  a  charge  that  frightens   me, 
Though  vilely  made :   I  never  dreamed  that  crime, 
Even  as  a  painted  threat,  could  be  so  flung 
Into  our  faces. 


A  TRAGEDY.  281 

DAVID 

Into  mine,  not  yours ! 

RHODA 

It  is  the  same :   the  threat,  the  impossible  fact, 

One  like  the  other,  at  my  honor  strikes. 

I  do  not  think  of  that.     Oh,  were  the  day, 

And  all   its  horrible  aspects,  safely  o'er ! 

Were  you  a  nameless  servant  of  the  Lord, 

Somewhere  with  me  and  with  our  helpless  child, 

A  taper  burning  calmly,   not,   as  now, 

A  bonfire  whirled  and  beaten  by  the  winds, 

What  peace  were  mine ! 

VOICES 
(Outside,  singing  in  passing.") 

Fight  for  the  Prophet  ! 
Fling  his  banner  wide  ! 


282  THE  PROPHET: 

RHODA 

But,  no !   you  dare  not  fly, 
Though  yet  the  chance   is   free.      The  frightened 

flock, 

In  its  devoted  faith,  appeals  to  you, 
Who,  having  led  to  this,  must  lead  beyond. 
An  hour's  enough :    the  river's  middle  stops 
Pursuit  and  summons  ;  but,  were  you  and  I 
This  moment  seated  on  the  farther  shore, 
We  needs  must  cross  again. 

DAVID. 

Do  you  say  that? 

Do  you  set  duty  higher  than  our  lives? 
Why,  she  could  say  no  more! 

RHODA 
(In  a  low  voice.') 

Ah,  spare  me,  David ! 
[A  long  silence.'} 


A  TEAGEDY.  283 

DAVID 
(.Musingly.) 

Were  we  together,  Rhoda?   yes,  we  were! 
One  day  in  June ;   long,  long  ago  it  was : 
Wild  strawberries  along  the  clearing's  edge 
Were  thick  that  year ;  but  we  grew  tired  at  last ; 
And  I,  stretched  flat  among  the  fragrant  vines, 
Looked  at  the  sky :    I  saw  no  other  thing. 
The  blue  retreated  as  my  vision  reached ; 
And  as  a  pebble  slowly  deeper,  deeper  sinks 
In  still,  dark  water,  up  and  upward  sank 
My  soul,  and  sank,  and  still  there  was  no  end. 
Somewhere,  at  last,  beyond  the  invisible  stars, 
A  hoary  brightness  gathered  from  the  void, 
And  from  the  midst  there  looked  a  single  Eye, 
Compact  of  all  ineffable  light,  —  His  eye  ! 
And  did  not  blind  me. 


284  THE  PROPHET: 

RHODA 

David!   and  I  cried: 
You    would    not    speak:     I    thought    you   vexed, 

unkind ! 
I  could  not  know,  till  now. 

DAVID 

We  came  from  school 

One  day,  when,  from  a  rising  arch  of  cloud, 
The  tempest  strained  the  black-oak  on  the  hill. 
You  feared  to  pass :  I  shouted,  through  the  roar, 
"You  will   not  hurt  us,  God!"    and  then  a  bolt 
Split  with  red  fire  the  surging  firmament. 
But  you  were  pale  with  terror ;   on  my  breast 
You  hid  your  eyes;  while  I,   in  solemn  joy, 
Chanted  aloud,   and  waved  my  arms  aloft, 
And  felt  strange  fingers  pluck  my  beaten  hair, 
As  one  may  tease  in  fondness.     Say,   do  you 
Remember,   Rhoda? 


A  TRAGEDY.  285 

RHODA 

(Weeping.) 
Oh,  I  do! 

DAVID 

How  now, 


You  cry  for  memory  of  it?     Ah!  I  see, 
Your  memory  wears  another  hue  than  mine. 
You  tremble:  I  exult! 

RHODA 

Upon  us  sweeps 

- 
A  blacker  tempest  now. 

DAVID 

Go  you  to  rest; 

If  struggle  come,   so  gather  strength  for  it. 
Fret  not  for  me :   my  body  must  be  as  dead 
Before  my  soul  is  verily  alive. 


286  THE  PROPHET: 

{Exit  RHODA,  slowly.     A  pause.] 
They  look  to  me:   if  I,   in  turn,   look  up, 
What  help  is  certain?     Yea,   but  first  to  look! 
I    urge    my    thought;     but,     swerving    from    its 
aim, 

It     backward     speeds,     and     paints     anew     the 

past 

In  colors  which  confound  me.     'Tis  not  doubt ; 
'Tis  no  renewal  of  old  agonies : 
But    something    cold,  that    wears    the    shape   of 

Truth, 

Treads  down  with  heavy  step,   along  my  path, 
The  springing  harvest,   and  with  fateful  hand 
Makes  sign,   "  Go  on:    I  follow ! '* 

Get  you  gone, 

Device  of  Satan!     To  His  law  a  lie? 
He  made  the  covenant  a  perfect  chain, 
Which,  link  by  link,   am  I  restoring,  soon 


A  TRAGEDY.  287 

To  girt  us  round   about,  —  a  lesser  world 
Where    He    may   reign :    one   flaw,  and   all   must 

go! 

One  flaw?      There  is  no  torture  known  in  hell 
Enough  for   such  malevolence,  if  so! 
I'll  put  Thee  to  the  test :   our  strait  is   sore ; 
Thine  intervention,  since  the  world  began, 
Never  so  needed  :    do  Thy  miracle  ! 
Or  stand  aloof,  and  let  Thy  thunders  growl 
In  leash,  Thy  lightnings  flash  a  distant  threat; 
But  breathe  one  word  of  counsel,  —  give  my  soul, 
Passive  before  Thee,  one  victorious  thought! 

\_He  paces  the  room  for  some  minutes  in  great  excite 
ment,  then  suddenly  stops.'] 

My  prayers  rebound,  as  from  a  solid  wall ; 
My  brain  refuses  to  anticipate 
The  coming  problem ;    and  my  very  hope 
Strains,  like  an  eye  in  darkness,  foiled  of  use ! 


288  THE  PROPHET  : 

What  palsy  thus  disorders  every  sense 
Wherein  the  spirit  live»?      I  cannot  see 
A  hand's-breadth  forward,  na}~,   nor  fancy  aught: 
The  light  burns  backward  over  what  has  been ; 
And  its  last  glimmer,  fading  at  my  feet, 
Leaves  all  the  future  darkness ! 

Oh,  my  God! 

The  mortal  anguish  of  a  life  at  bay, 
Escape  cut  off,  the  certainty  of  doom, 
All  that  is  visited  upon  the  flesh, — 
Methinks  were  easy.      Mine  is  death  in  life ; 
The  sinews  severed,  arid  the  strength  as  dead ; 
No  power  to  reach,  not  even  knowledge  left 
Of  how  or  whither,  but  the  soul  a  corpse ! 
I'll     strive     no     more ;     I'll     neither     think     nor 

pray : 
Let  accident  become  my  deity ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  289 

SCENE   VII. 

The  interior  of  the  Temple.  Men,  women,  and  children 
gathered  in  groups.  NIMROD,  on  the  platform  in  front 
of  the  Holy  of  Holies,  trims  the  lights  burning  in  the 
seven-branched  candlesticks.  SIMEON  and  MORDECAI, 
near  the  door,  conferring  with  two  messengers. 

FIRST    MESSENGER 

I  counted  them  as  they  came  o'er  the  rise, 
And  nigh  two  hundred  were  they. 

SIMEON 

Did  you  mark 

Some  in  advance  ?  —  signs  of  a  summons  first, 
Preceding  force? 

FIRST    MESSENGER 

Their  march  was  orderly. 

19 


290  THE  PKOPHET: 

SIMEON 
(To   MORDECAI.) 

Then  it  would  seem  he  has  them  well  in  hand ; 
And,  whether  violence  be  done,  depends 
Chiefly  on  him.      But  who  went  forth  from  us? 

SECOND     MESSENGER 

This  side  the  border  brook,  I  saw  go  out 
Three  Members  of  the  Twelve :   John  surely  was 
The  first,  Elisha  and  Zerubbabel 
I  thought  the  others. 

MORpECAI 

(To  SIMEON.) 

By  the  Prophet  sent? 

SIMEON 

By  him  allowed ;   for  neither  Yea  nor  Nay 

He  answered  them  or  me.      His    gifts  grow  weak 


A  TRAGEDY.  291 

When  most  we  need  them ;    but  the  day  may  cast 
The  power  in  stronger  hands,  and  save  us  all ! 

[Sound  of  drums  and  trumpets  outside.     Voices  singing.'] 

Fight  for  the  Prophet  ! 
Fling  his  banner  wide  ! 

SIMEON 

Hark,  there!     Who  leads  them?     Follow, — bring 

report ! 

[Exit  Messengers. 

NIMROD 

(Coming  down  from  the  altar.} 
My  hands  are  tied :    all  ye  who  hear  me  note ! 
Bear  witness,  that,  if  blood  be  shed  this  day, 
My    garments    are   not    stained.      I    would    have 

given 

Myself  as  pledge,  so  using  human  craft 
(Which,  for  His  glory,  sanctifies  the  Lord) 
To  foil  the  Gentiles  ;    now  it  seems  too  late ; 


292  THE  PROPHET  : 

But,  when  all  other  virtue  is  outworn, 
Then  turn  to  me. 

WOMEN 
Go  forth,  and  hold  them  back ! 

NIMROD 

Though  driven  to  ruin's  edge,  I  still  obey: 
Heed  ye  the  lesson! 

[Enter  DAVID  pale  and  troubled:  RHODA  follows  Mm, 
bearing  the  child  in  her  arms."] 

DAVID 

(Looking  on  the  frightened  groups.) 

Save  all  these,  high-priest! 

I  give  them  to  your  hands :    take  boat,  and  cross 
Beyond  the  reach  of  this  authority 
Which  smites  them  with  disorderly  alarm. 
'Twill  soon  be  settled  whether  you  return, 
Or  we  must  join  you. 


A  TRAGEDY.  293 

NIMROD 

Suffer  me  to  wait, 
While  aught  of  peril  menaces  yourself! 

[Sounds  of  firing  in  the  distance  :   cries  and  confusion 
among  the  peopled] 

A  MAN 

(Rushing  in.) 

Thej^'re   firing,    by   the   wood!       Theirs,    on    the 

plain ; 

Ours,  covered  by  the  timber:    some  were  down 
Before  the  smoke  got  thick! 

DAYID 
(To  MORDECAI.) 

It  must  not  be ! 
Quick!  —  something  white  !      Within  the   chancel, 

there, 
My  prophet-mantle,  as  the  sign  of  truce ! 

[While  MORDECAI  obeys  this  command,  the  sound  of 
firing  draws  nearer.] 


294  THE  PEOPIIET: 

PETEE 

(Enters,  wounded  in  the  am.) 
First,  give  me  water. 

[It  is  brought  from  the  baptismal  font.     He  drinks."] 

Scarce  there's  time  to  tell: 
Get  over  the  river !  —  that  was  what  she  said 


DAVID 


Who  brought  this  on? 


PETER 

They  wanted  you,  —  no  less 
Would  answer :   we  refused  to  give  you  up, 
And  blocked  their   marching  nearer  ;    then  —  they 

fired! 

Our  volleys  tore  and  scattered  them  a  bit, 
But  they're  too  many.     She  went  here  and  there, 
Put  heart  in  all,  and  like  a  general  led, 


A  TRAGEDY.  295 

And  not  a  bullet  touched  her:   then,   when  I 
Was  hit  in  turn,  she  sent  me  posting   here. 
We're  falling  back,  but  slowly,   facing  them : 
Don't  lose  a  minute  —  ugh!    the  thing's  no  fun: 
My  arm  feels  ugly. 

\He  faints.'] 

DAVID 

Rhoda,  look  to  him ! 
My  place  is  at  the  front :   'tis  me  alone 
They  seek,  and  they  may  have  me! 

[Exit. 

RHODA 

(Giving  her  child  to  one  of  the  women.} 

Lift  his  head, 

Undo  his  collar!     There!     I've  bound  his  arm, 
And  bathed  his  brow  with  water  from  the  font: 


296  THE   PROPHET: 

He  soon  will  breathe  again.     I  pray  3-011,  give 
My  child  your  tenderness,  if  I  should  die! 

[Exit,  following  DAVID. 

NIMROD 

You  heard?     He  gave  you  to  my  hands  :  I  charge, 
By  him  commissioned,  that  your  fears  be  still ! 
If  there  be  traitors  here,  let  flame  from  Heaven 
Their  tongues  make  cinder,  that  they  cannot  speak ! 
We  will  submit,  in  all  external  forms, 
Even  to  the  Gentiles ;   then  in  secret  pass 
The  river,  bearing  our,  most  precious  goods 
Beyond  their  reach :    our  spies  have  gone  abroad, 
And  found  another  Eshcol  in  the  West. 
Within  our  hands  lies  all  we  builded  here, 
And  they,  upheld  by  faith,  shall  build  again! 
This  is  no  time  for  lamentation :    hope 
As  ye  have  never  hoped,  have  confidence 
Ye  never  felt,  await  triumphant  signs 
Reserved  for  3-011,  His  people ! 


A  TRAGEDY.  297 

VOICES 

Yea,  we  will ! 

[Scattered  musket-shots  outside  the  temple:  wild,  pier 
cing  cries  are  lieard.  Immediately  afterwards  the 
chancel-door  is  torn  open,  and  a  number  of  armed 
men,  some  of  them  u-ounded,  enter  the  temple.  Then 
DAVID  appears,  shot  through  the  breast,  and  held  up 
by  RHODA  and  LIVIA,  supporting  him  on  either 
side.  Cries  and  lamentations  among  the  people 
gathered  in  the  temple.'] 

DAVID 

Forward!   to  the  altar,  to  the  altar! 

CRIES 

Lord! 
Save  him,  Thy  Prophet,  for  Thyself  and  us ! 

[DAVID,  supported  ly  RHODA  and  LIVIA,  totters 
forwards,  and  is  upheld  by  them,  leaning  against  the 
altar.] 


298  THE  PROPHET: 

DAVID 

Oh  for  a  little  life !    it  fades  so  fast ! 
Hear  me,  my  brethren !     I  will  only  speak 
Words  needful :    not  too  late,  the  shadow  falls 
That  veiled  mine  eyes :   confusion  has  an  end. 

NIMROD 
(Aside.) 
What  means  he? 

(Aloud,  to  the  people.) 
Silence,  all !     The  Prophet  speaks, 
In  this  extremity,  to  you ! 

DAVID 

(With  difficulty.') 

Be  still! 

Each  word  you  utter  steals  a  word  of  mine, 
And  few  are  left  me :    let  me  but  begin ! 
I  see  so  much  at  once !    all  things  are  clear ; 


A  TRAGEDY.  299 

But   speech   grows  weak.      Ah,  hearken,  brethren 

mine ! 

How  say  it  all?      I  pray  you,  bid  your  souls 
Rise  quickly  up,  and  save  me  half!      O  God, 
It  is  for  Thee !      Leave  me  one  moment  here ! 
See,  I  am  dying !      On  the  edge  of  life, 
Truth's  lightning  flashes  backward  and  beyond : 
So  hear!      First —     Hold  me  firm,  I  slide  away! 
Lord,  Lord,  be  merciful !    no  time  is  left ! 
I  see  no  more  —  but,  yes !    one  blessed  face : 
Tis  yours! — you're  with  me,  Rhoda ! —  you,  my 

love! 

[He  turns  towards  RHODA  as  he  speaks,  and  falls 
upon  tier  breast,  ivith  his  arms  hanging  over  her 
shoulders. ] 

LIVIA 

Help  !      Lift  him  up  !   he  faints. 


300  THE  PROPHET. 

RHODA 

Nay,  he  is  dead! 

Leave  us !     You  have  no  more  a  part  in  him : 
He  is  all  mine  at  last ! 

[Clasping  DAVID  to  her  breast,  she  sinks  slowly  down 
at  the  foot  of  the  altar. ~\ 

NIMROD 

So  death  cuts  short 

The  weakness  which  has  nigh  betrayed  us  all ! 
His  gift  and  power  become  our  heritage  ; 
And  Zion  lives,  and  shall  be  strong,  through  me ! 

[COLONEL  HYDE  and  his  men  force  an  entrance  into 
the  portal  of  the  temple.  A  wild  scene  of  confu 
sion  among  the  people.  NIMROD  KRAFT  snatches 
the  ark  from  the  altar,  and  escapes  through  the 
chancel-door.'] 

THE   CURTAIN   FALLS. 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


31 
SSOctl  I  PI 


•R6    1956  U! 


JAN  14  1959 


(UNS  0  V 


a£ 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


I 


